NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park is heading to Deniliquin to hear “from the ground” about issues affecting the community.
Member for Murray Helen Dalton said Mr Park has accepted her invitation to Deniliquin, and the visit is tentatively set for next month.
On the agenda will be the possible de-merger of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, which was floated by Labor during the state election and was one of Mrs Dalton’s health platforms.
It will also be an opportunity for the minister to see first-hand the issues affecting healthcare services in the region.
Mrs Dalton said the NSW Government is listening to her and the people of Deniliquin.
“The treatment of New South Wales residents has been disgraceful,” she said.
“The lack of doctors, accommodation for healthcare workers – I receive complaints every single day about these issues.
“So far, the New South Wales Labor Government has honoured all their commitments and they want to hear from the people of Deni and Finley about priorities.”
Mrs Dalton has campaigned for the de-merger of the MLHD, saying it’s “not brain surgery”.
“Wagga is not particularly local for Deni residents requiring care, yet that’s where they are sent to.
“The MLHD area is roughly the size of England.
“I want the minister to hear from people on the ground about area boundaries and what works for us.”
Mrs Dalton said the MLHD model “doesn’t work”, with hospitals and staff stretched.
“MLHD can’t attract doctors and we have several hospitals in need of upgrades, including Deniliquin.
“Griffith hospital services 81,000 people – their upgrades are desperately needed too.”
Mrs Dalton said patients in Deniliquin being transferred to Wagga by road cannot get there in one ride.
“They have to change crew in Urana due to the distance. This is one reason why Wagga doesn’t work for Deni people, and why new boundaries need to be established.”
MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford said they are working with NSW Ambulance to improve services.
“We continue to work closely with our colleagues at New South Wales Ambulance to ensure patients are transferred from ambulance to emergency department as swiftly as possible,” she said.
Mrs Dalton said the other priorities to be discussed with Minister Park are the protection of maternity services and for paediatric services to be upgraded and reinstated in Deniliquin.
The independent member for Murray is confident the new government will listen to the people of Deniliquin.
“They are very committed. I have spoken to Rose Jackson, the minister for housing regarding Deniliquin’s shortage of rental accommodation, particularly for essential workers.
“She knows how desperate we are.”
Minister Park recently said the NSW Government was working on an inbound package to attract healthcare workers to the Riverina.
“Hospitals and new buildings are good, people need them, but they don’t drive healthcare.
“What drives health is making sure there’s a good culture within the facility and that people feel supported to go and work there,” he said after discussions with Mrs Dalton and Ms Ludford.
The discussions have taken place in the same week the Bureau of Health Information issued its Healthcare Quarterly report.
Released yesterday, it states Deniliquin Hospital continued to deliver high-quality care throughout the January to March 2023 quarter with “results well above the state average”.
More on the quarterly report will be in Tuesday’s edition.