Member for Murray Helen Dalton said the people of the Western Riverina are at breaking point with MLHD’s governing of regional health services. Photo: Supplied.
Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, is urging Premier Chris Minns to keep his pre-election promise to her to create an independent health district in the seat of Murray.
“Before he was Premier, Chris looked me in the eye, shook my hand and promised that if he became Premier, he would pilot a new health district in Murray, allowing us to break away from the Wagga-based Murrumbidgee Local Health District,” Ms Dalton said.
“I took the Premier at his word then, and I expect him to be true to his word now.”
Ms Dalton recently introduced the Health Services Amendment (Splitting of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District) Bill 2025 to parliament.
According to Ms Dalton, the Bill would give the people of Murray their own Local Health District called the Western Riverina Local Health District.
“Premier Minns can honour his word by simply supporting my Private Members Bill,” Ms Dalton said.
“If you live in Murray, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District isn’t local at all, because it’s effectively run from Wagga. It may as well be run from Melbourne.”
Various scandals have plagued the Local Health District over the past five years. The Griffith hospital had six different managers over a four-year period.
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,” Ms Dalton said.
“We don’t want to be an afterthought once Wagga has been looked after, like we are now.”
“Wagga Base Hospital is already at breaking point. The creation of the Western Riverina Local Health District will reduce this strain by decentralising health service provision. This will reduce wait times and enhance the quality of services.”
“Murray must have 24/7 specialist services, like maternity care, orthopedics and surgery as well as increased mental health services,” Helen said.
“So far, Premier Minns has not committed to the creation of the Western Riverine Local Health District, but I believe he is a man of his word, and I’m expecting an announcement from Chris any day now.”
MLHD has previously responded to Ms Dalton’s calls to split MLHD, stating it was committed to providing efficient and timely care to its patients.
“Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is committed to providing timely, efficient and appropriate care to patients in every part of the district,” A spokesperson said.
“Health care services in MLHD are highly networked and have been developed to ensure patients across the district receive appropriate care depending on their clinical needs.
Wagga Wagga Base Hospital is the only rural referral-level facility in MLHD, and it serves as a vital hub for specialist healthcare services to every part of the district.
“Splitting MLHD would have a detrimental impact on existing healthcare pathways and would see more patients needing to travel further from their homes to access appropriate care.
“Current arrangements allow staffing and community-based services to be networked and shared across the district. Removing those arrangements would require existing services to be replicated, adding significant costs, and would only add to the current staffing shortages experienced in healthcare services nationwide.
“MLHD’s senior leadership team and several board members are based throughout the Murrumbidgee region, representing regional and rural patients and ensuring their unique healthcare needs are considered at an executive level.
“MLHD continues to deliver high-quality healthcare and support to all our patients, no matter where they live or what level of care they require.”
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
