New hospital support: Murray backs Edward River in efforts to relieve regional pressures

The motion to support Edward River Council was unanimously supported at Murray River Council’s recent meeting.

Murray River Mayor John Harvie said while Murray’s Moama residents are well serviced by Echuca Regional Health, council recognised that members of its other communities were more likely to use Deniliquin health services.

“MRC is pleased to support ERC's push to have a new hospital built in Deniliquin,” Mr Harvie said.

“While Moama has access to a hospital just the other side of the river, we recognise that some of our communities — like Mathoura, Moulamein, Wakool and Barham — would be served well by health facility upgrades at Deniliquin.

“The nearest major hospital is almost three hours by road ambulance and the vast majority of MRC residents currently rely on Victorian hospitals for emergency care.

“It is past time for development of a major hospital in the far south-west of the state."

In a report to council, Murray River chief executive Stacey Williams said investment in a new hospital at Deniliquin was “vital to ensure equity of access to healthcare in rural and regional communities, including ours”.

“Whilst Murray River Council has a growing need for healthcare and future needs for increased service provision in our growing cross-border communities, investment in the Deniliquin hospital is a vital piece in the overall health system which supports our communities.

“A letter of support from MRC to Edward River Council can support a collective call to action to fund the new Deniliquin hospital.”

Edward River Mayor Ashley Hall said it would be highlighted to the NSW Government and personnel involved in providing health services across the state that Deniliquin hospital could play an important role in reducing capacity issues at other large regional hospitals.

“It is no secret that Albury hospital, in particular, is facing enormous challenges,” Cr Hall said.

“It is being inundated with patients from across the region and, as a result, it is currently undergoing a significant expansion project. However, there remain community concerns that it will still have more patients than the bed capacity can handle.

“Providing the right level of services in outer lying regional centres such as Deniliquin can have a positive impact on Albury.”

Cr Hall added it was widely recognised that over past decades there had been limited investment in Deniliquin hospital, and as a result numerous patients who presented at the local hospital were transferred to places like Albury.

This not only puts pressure on the hospital at Albury, but also the patient transport facilities.

“It makes sense to invest at Deniliquin and allow our hospital to service more patients in the southern Riverina region,” Cr Hall said.

At its May meeting, ERC unanimously adopted a position statement calling for construction of a new Deniliquin hospital as part of a broader health precinct.

Council has since discussed its position statement with State Member for Murray Helen Dalton, who is supportive and will advocate on the community’s behalf to the NSW Government.

It also says consultation undertaken through the Deniliquin Clinical Services Plan by the Murrumbidgee Local Health District has “highlighted significant community concern regarding the hospital’s limitations and the need for investment in a modern, future-focused health facility”.

“We have a long way to go, but council is committed to working hard until funding for a new Deniliquin hospital is announced,” Cr Hall said.