The reception of the new Griffith Base Hospital. Photo: MLHD.
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has fought back against a push for it to be divided, releasing an online publication this week which outlines its reasons why the creation of a separate district representing the western Riverina would be bad for the public and patients.
But NSW independent MP Helen Dalton, who drafted a bill to split Griffith Base Hospital away from the Wagga-based bureaucracy, accused the MLHD of “lying”.
The MLHD published a ‘question and answer’ document on its website where it reiterated its opposition to Ms Dalton’s bill.
“Evidence shows splitting the district would cost more, deliver less, and put services at risk,” the document states.
“Splitting the district would not solve the workforce problems. Instead, it would fragment staffing, reduce flexibility, and make it harder to recruit and retain health professionals.”
The MLHD publication quotes unnamed doctors who oppose the split.
“I appreciate and respect the strong local leadership and community advocacy underway in Griffith to secure better health services and facilities for the region. However, based on my understanding, dividing MLHD would likely create additional layers of bureaucracy, reduce strategic leverage in advocacy, and ultimately hinder — rather than help — the very improvements the community is seeking,” one doctor stated.
Another one said: “I am yet to be convinced of how creating another behemoth administrative monolith will be of benefit to what really matters – the patient.”
The Griffith Base Hospital Medical Staff Council, a body that represents specialists and doctors at the facility, backed the split in an open letter to Ms Dalton. Surgeons Dr Narayanan Jayachandran and Dr Howard Fan have been vocal about their support.
Ms Dalton called on the Wagga-based bureaucracy to “stop lying”.
“For a start, people need to realise that the MLHD is not independent,” she said.
“The MLHD is an arm of government, so you really need to take anything the MLHD says with a grain of salt.
“All available evidence actually shows that rural health services improve when decision-making is closer to communities. That is exactly what a western Riverina LHD will achieve.”
Helen Dalton had engaged in a war of words with the MLHD. Photo: Helen Dalton MP Facebook.
One of the main concerns about Griffith Base Hospital is lack of staff, with shortages across most areas.
“Workforce shortages are a national issue, not solved by a split,” the MLHD claimed.
“Creating a small health district would fragment staffing, reduce flexibility, and make it harder to recruit and retain health professionals.
“A split would impact established education, training and career pathways with universities, TAFE and training partners.
“We are losing applicants now – nurses and doctors are advising they don’t want to work in a disrupted or split LHD.”
Ms Dalton claims, however, that a new district will attract more doctors and health care professionals to the regions, “because health services in Murray will finally be managed properly”.
“The ‘Western Riverina Health District’ will save lives, and it will improve lives. It’s that simple.”
A parliamentary inquiry into Mrs Dalton’s bill is expected to begin later this year.
