Both MPs want the same thing for their electorate, but are achieving it in different ways. Photo: Helen Dalton MP Facebook, Chris Roe.
The poor state of rural healthcare in NSW was an issue long before Murray MP Helen Dalton’s push for Griffith to split away from Wagga-based bureaucracy Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD).
While Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr shares her concerns, he believes splitting from the MLHD is not the right move.
Mrs Dalton thinks it’s “in a way” a missed opportunity, as they are both striving for the same goal, which is a more community-focused healthcare system, better resources and giving the community the ability to make decisions about their health services.
“I really value working with Dr McGirr, and I can understand his point of view,” she said. “But it’s not good enough for us, that’s for sure.”
The proposed split would see the region’s western towns, such as Griffith, Leeton, Hay and Deniliquin, governed by a new local health district, the ‘Western Riverina Local Health District’ (WRLHD).
On the other hand, Dr McGirr’s vision is to see a ratio of one doctor for every 900 people, whereby a GP would have a home office in a regional town and then travel to see patients in surrounding smaller towns, with all their travel expenses covered.
“These reforms are built upon the recommendations of the NSW Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Remote, Rural and Regional Health, which I chaired,” Dr McGirr said.
“These serious problems need to be addressed through systemic reform that will make a real difference.”
Currently, MLHD makes decisions on staffing, services, and resourcing for all facilities in the Riverina. Smaller towns such as Hay get the short end of the stick as a result, says Mrs Dalton.
While Mrs Dalton appreciates her counterpart’s advocacy, she thinks that is not good enough.
In her electorate, people are expressing frustrations that they’re being sent back and forth on three-hour drives for basic procedures such as the removal of tonsils and the fixing of broken bones, and while they have dependents at home.
Ms Dalton said she understood why Dr McGirr didn’t support the split as he was only doing what he believed was best for Wagga.
“Of course, everyone traveling to Wagga is a great economic boost,” she said.
“It’s not just for the healthcare, because every procedure that they do, they get increased funding or that attracts the funding.”
Dr McGirr said he understood Mrs Dalton’s “very real concerns about the provision of health services in her electorate”.
“As I have said before, communities need to have a much more effective say in how their health services are organised and delivered, which is in line with point four of my plan, but I do not believe splitting the MLHD is the best way forward at this time,” he said.
“However, community concerns over health care are entirely valid and I look forward to working with all my parliamentary colleagues to bring about reform that will benefit all rural and regional communities.”
There is one thing that overlaps in both politicians’ vision: handing health services governance back to the community.
“I want to see people on the street raising money for our local hospital, and that money to stay in our local area,” Mrs Dalton said.
“In the past, that money has gone to Wagga, and we haven’t even been able to help ourselves. I think fair is fair – we also know that Wagga is totally overrun with patients at times.
“A third of them are from around my area, so a third of them should be seen in Griffith. Of course, we will need Wagga for those more complex health needs, but we can work together with that. But we want our fair share.
“I don’t understand why people don’t get it that it’s an unfair system, and it’s time for change. I want to see real, systematic reform that delivers better outcomes for people living outside major cities, but we’re a long way from that.”
Make a submission to an inquiry on Murray MP Helen Dalton’s proposal to split the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) before 19 December, or show your support for Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr’s Rural Health Action Plan.
