New Griffith Base Hospital on track, $9.84 million for alcohol and drug treatment services in Murrumbidgee

The new-look Griffith Base Hospital remains on track to open the doors of its new clinical services building early next year with the $250 million redevelopment nearing completion.

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park and Member for Murray Helen Dalton toured the expanded healthcare facilities last week, including the new state-of-the-art clinical services building, which will provide a range of healthcare under one roof.

“When complete, the purpose-built clinical services building will house all major health services under the one roof, significantly transforming patient, carer and staff experience,” said Mr Park.

“Griffith and surrounding communities will benefit from a bigger emergency department, intensive care unit and an additional procedure room in the operating suite at the new hospital.

“An expanded medical imaging department will also deliver improved radiology services with a new CT and nuclear medicine service in purpose-built and designed spaces.

The clinical services building will be completed in the coming months ahead of an operational commissioning period as health services are transferred from the current hospital to the new facility.

Ms Dalton said it was great to see the revamped hospital coming together.

“The Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment will support contemporary models of care and improve healthcare experiences for our community,” she said.

“I’m glad this new hospital has been designed in close collaboration with staff and clinicians and includes inpatient rooms with ensuites, a new cafe and landscaped community courtyards and gardens.

“Projects like this one not only support the health and wellbeing of our community, but also deliver direct and indirect jobs in health, construction and related industries.”

Once the new hospital opens, work will begin on a new carpark, refurbishment of the ambulatory care hub and a new main entry.

The three-storey clinical services building sits behind the current hospital and will be accessible through the existing entry until the new one is completed.

While in Griffith, Minister Park also launched the 2024 Drug Summit, with the first regional forum taking place on Friday (1 November).

Ms Dalton welcomed a pledge of $9.84 million for alcohol and drug treatment services in the Murrumbidgee region.

$3.6 million will go towards programs designed for people leaving custody, $2 million for community-based withdrawal management, case management, and counselling services for vulnerable populations and $4.24 million for a new youth day program and counselling service.

“Not only is this funding substantial, it is also targeted,” Ms Dalton said.

“I genuinely believe Minister Ryan Park cares deeply about this issue, and I am sure that the more work we do in this area, the more lives can be saved and massively improved.”

The Drug Summit will include two more forums, which will be held in Lismore on 4 November and in Sydney on 4 and 5 December, bringing together health experts, police, people with lived and living experiences, drug user organisations, families and other stakeholders to provide a range of perspectives.