Residents working as a collective with a clear and precise message not only set an example for those running the Griffith Base Hospital (GBH), but it set a new and exciting tone for healthcare in the MIA.
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It was a unanimous ‘no’ from Griffith residents over the past week, and its beginning to turn the tide on the hospital’s future of consolidation and cost cutting.
It’s a two-way street though, and credit where credit’s due – NSW Patholgy listened to the Griffith community, local MP Adrian Piccoli and Council before announcing it would, “no longer proceed with proposed changes ...”.
The greatest significance in the sensational back flip is residents have renewed confidence their destinies are in their own hands, if they make enough noise.
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One has to ask why such a decision was made in the first place, without staff and community consultation, considering the magnitude of the region’s resulting outrage.
The immediate fallout now has everyone wondering if the debacle sets a precedence for community consultation and communication from hospital officials.
Mayor John Dal Broi says he and Murrumbidgee Local Health District boss Jill Ludford will now meet on a regular basis to discuss hospital issues and to ensure the city is on front foot of any possible decisions or problems into the future.
What does it mean long-term though?
Firstly, shady plans previously withheld from public scrutiny may be a thing of the past and the public may get warning before proposals affecting the hospital turn into policy.
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Secondly, we may get some detailed explanations about recent and future planned changes – without the jargon.
Third and most importantly, bureaucrats and government health departments are now on notice in the MIA, and residents won’t accept GBH being the subject of systematic and long term cuts to services.
Regional NSW centres and Sydney media are also taking notice, but don’t discount Griffith’s people power rubbing off on its nearby neighbours and again forcing the hand of NSW health departments.
Leeton residents remain frustrated their hospital still operates without an obstetrician after almost 18 months, while West Wyalong and Hillston are still regularly searching for full-time medical staff.