Murrumbidgee Health District: Staff Shortages Spark Split Debate

Parliamentary Inquiry Examines Split of Murrumbidgee Local Health District Amid Staff Shortages and Service Gaps

A parliamentary inquiry in southern New South Wales is investigating the possibility of dividing the Murrumbidgee Local Health District due to persistent staff shortages and service deficiencies. Hospitals like Griffith Base Hospital are struggling to fill crucial positions, including surgeons and specialists, as the district refuses to hire new staff. This has resulted in underutilized wards and patients being referred to other hospitals for basic care.

Surgeons testified that experts in gastroenterology and geriatrics were turned away due to a lack of available positions, leading to patients traveling to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital for simple procedures. Local leaders and residents express frustration over unequal access to services, citing the absence of CT scanners, dialysis chairs, and stroke care in rural areas.

Supporters argue that the district, which covers one hundred twenty-five thousand square kilometers and serves over two hundred forty thousand people, is too large for effective management. A proposed new Western Riverina Health District would serve places like Griffith and Deniliquin.

Opponents, however, worry that fragmentation would increase administrative costs and strain budgets, potentially diverting funds from patient care. More hearings are scheduled in two weeks, with district and state health officials, leading to findings for the New South Wales government later this year.

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