Griffith Base Hospital Medical Staff Council and Helen Dalton MP Join Forces to Rally for a Split from MLHD

Doctors and medical staff from Griffith Base Hospital, Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, and concerned citizens from across the electorate will gather in Griffith’s Memorial Park on Saturday the 20th of September to voice their demand for a separation from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District which controls medical services within a footprint of approximately 125,000 square kms. 

The medical professionals have written an open letter in support of the Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton’s push to create a new health district called the Western Riverina Health District.  

The number of facilities MLHD currently administer is 33 public hospitals and MPS sites. That population distribution is estimated at around 249,000 people spread across dozens of small towns and rural centres. 

Mrs. Dalton said: “Those numbers are extraordinary, far more than a metropolitan area. Even at the highest level, trying to manage 33 hospitals under one executive is clearly not possible. Residents in the seat of Murray agree, with hundreds of people signing a petition that is circulating that will allow me to debate the case for the split in parliament.” 

The new district would see Griffith Base Hospital and other smaller district hospitals west of Wagga no longer controlled by the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. 

“If you live in Murray, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District isn’t local at all, because it’s effectively run from Wagga,” Helen said. “It may as well be run from Melbourne.” 

Ms Dalton says the Murrumbidgee Local Health District fails to provide adequate care to the people of Murray, because it is run from so far away.    

“We need, and deserve, locally based, locally planned and locally delivered health care services,” Helen said. 

“We don't want to be an after-thought, once Wagga has been looked after, like we are now.” 

“Wagga Base Hospital is already at breaking point,” Helen said. “The creation of the Western Riverine Health District will reduce this strain by decentralising health service provision.  This will reduce wait times and enhance the quality of services for everyone west of Wagga.”