Griffith City Council says it has received strong feedback from residents on the future governance of Griffith Base Hospital, with 791 people completing the recent survey.
The Council says the results show a decisive call for change, with 92.8% of respondents supporting an alternative governance model and only 2.8% favouring the existing arrangement under Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD).
Of the three options presented, 62.3% supported splitting MLHD to form a smaller Western Riverina Local Health District (WRLHD) responsible for Griffith Base Hospital, while 30.5% preferred establishing a local Hospital Board with MLHD oversight. A further 4.4% were
undecided and 2.8% endorsed the current model.
Healthcare workers indicated similar views, with 81.5% supporting change. Their responses showed more even preferences, with 50% favouring the district split and 31.5% supporting a hospital board. Thirteen percent supported retaining MLHD.
At its recent meeting, Council resolved to acknowledge the feedback provided, advocate for a WRLHD, continue working with MLHD until such a time a change in structure is implemented and write to the NSW Minister for Health outlining the survey findings.
Mayor, Doug Curran said the results reflect a clear direction from the community and will guide Council’s next steps.
“While people had different preferences about how change should happen, the message is clear, the current governance model is not meeting the needs of our residents,” said Mayor Curran.
“We will continue working constructively with MLHD while advocating for the changes our community.”
Council provided information from both perspectives to ensure residents could make informed decisions. Council says it will now formally write to Minister Ryan Park to provide the detailed survey results.
