The new Griffith Base Hospital is missing key equipment. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has rejected claims of a paediatric “crisis” at Griffith Base Hospital, saying staffing levels have “increased” despite the hospital still having no Griffith-based paediatrician.
The hospital has not replaced its longstanding head paediatrician, Professor Maxwell Hopp, who tragically died in September 2025. Since his death, Griffith has relied on visiting paediatric specialists to provide care.
Mothers Baillee French, Alison Fraser and Katrina Haskins have all told Region they are waiting up to 24 months to secure a paediatrics appointment for their children, with Ms French forced to travel to Wagga for an autism assessment for her son Jasper.
Two sources within the hospital, who asked not to be named, have also described Griffith hospital’s baby and children services as being in “crisis”.
“We have no junior doctors working in our paediatric ward or special care nursery. Other regional centres have between three and five junior doctors helping their consultants to keep the children safe,” one staff member said.
“It means the visiting paediatrician is up all night quite often and running from crisis to crisis throughout the hospital, like a person trying to put out bushfires. If a child crashes in children’s ward and a baby is born requiring resuscitation, that paediatrician has to be in two places at once.”
However, the MLHD says the situation is improving.
“We can assure the community that Griffith Base Hospital continues to provide safe, high-quality, timely care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” a spokesperson said.
“The paediatrician staffing model at Griffith Base Hospital has been reviewed and staffing levels increased to ensure it is a sustainable model for future service delivery.
“The new model enables the introduction of trainee positions.”
Local health advocate Virginia Tropeano criticised the MLHD for failing to replace Professor Hopp during a parliamentary hearing in March 2026.
“Does this mean that this wonderful doctor and all he’s done for children in the past 30 years has been discounted as unnecessary to replace? I guess all the families who relied on him will now have to find a paediatrician in Wagga,” she said.
Soon after, MLHD acting chief executive Carla Bailey told the hearing: “We are actively recruiting for a replacement paediatrician for Dr Hopp. We do have a candidate that has applied for the position at the moment and we are just working through the process.”
Carla Bailey said MLHD was recuiting for a replacement for Professor Hopp when questioned at a March 2026 hearing alongside NSW Health deputy secretary Luke Sloane (left) and MLHD board chair Adrian Lindner. Photo: NSW Legislative Assembly.
Region asked the MLHD whether the recruitment had finalised in the past four months and, if not, whether it still intended to replace the much-loved professor.
A spokesperson declined to answer those questions but provided the following comments.
“Recruitment for a visiting medical officer, staff specialists and an advanced trainee position is in progress, and suitable candidates are currently undergoing credentialing in accordance with NSW Health policy,” the spokesperson said.
“Regular locum paediatricians have continued to support the community while recruitment is being finalised. Paediatricians at Griffith Base Hospital are on call 24/7 and can be contacted for clinical management. There remains an opportunity for a paediatrician to set up a private practice in Griffith.”
The MLHD declined to answer a question on the cost of locum paediatrician to taxpayers. Region has been told the rate is $3500 per day.
The Wagga-based bureaucracy said Griffith Base Hospital continues to hold public paediatric clinics each week.
“The community also continues to be supported by a private paediatric clinic in Griffith, which is run with a nurse practitioner who is supported virtually by paediatricians in private practice from Wagga Wagga,” the spokesperson said.
“Griffith families who need to see a paediatrician can request a referral from their general practitioner (GP).”
The MLHD also noted that Griffith Base Hospital’s maternity unit is supported by the Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS), a statewide service of NSW Health and part of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
NETS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing expert clinical advice, care coordination, emergency treatment, stabilisation and inter-hospital transport for critically ill or injured babies and children up to 16 years of age.
If you know more about this story, contact Oliver on 0498 843 181 or by email: [email protected]
