The reception of the new hospital. Photo: MLHD.
Residents of Griffith and surrounding communities are invited to be among the first to tour the Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment at a community open day on Saturday 14 June.
Construction of the new hospital – promised by the NSW Government after a series of community-led protests on the declining state of local health care in 2017 – commenced in 2022 and is now largely complete.
It is not yet known when the treatment of patients will start at the hospital, but Murrumbidgee Local Health District says it “will be announced in the coming weeks”.
On 14 June visitors will have the opportunity to explore the Clinical Services Building, the centrepiece of the redevelopment, and tour areas including the emergency department, maternity and medical inpatient unit, and specialist clinics.
“I had the pleasure of touring the construction site late last year with the Member for Murray, and it is great to hear it’s almost ready to open to patients,” NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said.
“The open day is a fantastic opportunity for the community to tour this wonderful new facility and have a behind the scenes look before it opens to the public.
“The purpose-built Clinical Services Building will bring all major health services together under one roof, transforming the experience for patients, carers, and staff.”
The exterior courtyard of the new hospital. Photo: MLHD.
According to MLHD, the Griffith Base Hospital redevelopment will provide “new and enhanced services including a new day surgery unit, expanded medical imaging department, more inpatient beds, mobile cardiac monitoring units and improved technology throughout the hospital”.
“The hospital also includes an expanded emergency department and intensive care unit, three palliative care rooms, and expanded perioperative unit featuring two theatres and one procedure room, equipped with the latest digital technology,” MLHD said in a statement.
“Expanded ambulatory care facilities will provide the community with improved access to a wider range of specialist clinics, including renal, cancer care, rehabilitation, and Hospital in the Home, further enhancing outpatient services.
“Work is now underway to ensure the new building and staff are prepared and ready to welcome patients, ahead of its opening. This includes installing furniture, fixtures, and equipment, completing clinical cleaning, stocking departments with medical consumables, and training and orientating staff.”
Concerns remain over whether the facility will be able to attract and retain enough specialist staff to ensure all planned services are operational.
Murray MP Helen Dalton, who wants the MLHD split up and to see the creation of separate health bureaucracy that services only the Western Riverina, welcomed the announcement.
“The new Griffith Base Hospital will increase access to healthcare for patients and is a key part of providing the high quality services the community of the Murrumbidgee deserves,” she said.
“The open day is a wonderful chance to showcase this world-class health facility to the local community and give people the opportunity to explore some of the areas in the redeveloped hospital they may not usually get to see.”
The Community Open Day is a free event, but registration beforehand is encouraged to reserve your spot as tickets are limited. You can register on the Try Booking website.
