State splurges $189 million for Griffith base hospital revamp

It announced an extra $189 million towards full redevelopment of the base hospital site. This added to $35 million already committed for Stage One of the project. 

The hospital has lost a number of vital medical departments as its resources were slowly whittled away, many services going to Wagga Wagga hospital. Medical staff complained bitterly about the loss of services.

“At no time at all were we informed, or our feedback sought into what would transpire if the radiology services of the regional Imaging were discontinued and another radiology service introduced,” Dr Jayachandran Narayanan acting chairperson, medical staff council, of the hospital wrote in a letter to the Area News.

“Specialists in this hospital had expressed grave concerns to the administration regarding this, and sought answers but their emails and queries remained unanswered. We went from having 4 ultrasound machines and sonographers on site (2 public and 2 private) to having only 2 in the public. 

“Griffith Base Hospital has been supported by an amazing team of doctors, nurses and other staff over the years and by a caring community. We need to give back to this community. It is time that the powers that be were held accountable for the dire situation we find ourselves in.”

But hopefully the situation might have turned. Deputy Premier and Leader of the NSW Nationals John Barilaro, together with Member for Murray Austin Evans, made the announcement today at Griffith Base Hospital as part of the 2018-19 Budget Half-Yearly Review that the Government would deliver on its promise made to the Griffith community that residents would receive funding for a fully redeveloped hospital. 

“Whenever I travel to Griffith, the number one issue people talk to me about is improving health services at Griffith Base Hospital,” Mr Barilaro said. 

“After tireless lobbying from the local member Austin Evans on behalf of the community, I am proud to announce a total of $224 million has been committed for the full redevelopment of Griffith Base Hospital. 

“We have already seen work begin on Stage One of the redevelopment and the NSW Government has fully committed to building the next stage of the world class hospital the people of Griffith deserve.  

“Following completion of the Master Plan, the need for a major upgrade at Griffith Base Hospital was clear. We said we would build a hospital that meets the needs of a growing community and that is exactly what today’s funding will deliver,” he said. 

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is investing in an $8 billion health infrastructure boom across NSW over the next four years.

Mr Evans said the full redevelopment of Griffith Base Hospital is one the highest priorities for the community. 

“From day one as the Member for Murray, I have been working with the Premier and Deputy Premier to make sure Griffith gets a fully funded upgraded hospital.  

“The local community has fought hard for their hospital and that fight has now paid off. 

“I want to thank the staff at Griffith Base Hospital and local government, working with the Local Health District, Health Infrastructure and their project teams, who have contributed to the Master Plan and look forward to delivering a fantastic new hospital for the people of Griffith.

“This is a great day for the Griffith community and we can now get on with the job of building a hospital that our community deserves,” he said. Early site works have already begun on the Griffith Base Hospital Redevelopment as part of Stage One of the redevelopment.”

Meanwhile, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers (SFF) Murray candidate Helen Dalton mocked National Party broken promises at her campaign launch.

She said National Party leader John Barilaro was coming to Griffith with a sack full of promises.

“There was no money for our hospital in the budget. But now, on the eve of an election, he’s pulled a $189 million figure out his sack”.

"I'll remind people it was 20 years ago we first heard orthopaedic services were coming to Griffith hospital," she said

"But in 2018, we still have to travel two hours to have a broken bone treated".

Mrs Dalton said its noticeable politicians only discover human life exists west of the blue mountains just before elections.

"Gladys came here four times in the lead up to last year’s by-election".

"But 400 days later, she hasn’t been back since. We heard all sort of promises before the by-election".

"Austin Evans promised he’d bring back logging to Murray Valley National Park. He promised he'd walk away from the Basin Plan if we lost any more water from our region. Well, on Friday, his water minister signed off on flushing another 4,500 billion litres of our water towards South Australia. 

"The only way we’re going to get a new hospital, or keep our water, is if we flush the Nationals away at the ballot box."