The data on waiting times was released by the Bureau of Health Information, a board-governed organisation which publishes independent reports about the performance of the NSW public healthcare system.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) responded by saying the data shows a marked improvement over the years in the percentage of patients having their surgery performed on time.

Country Labor candidate Michael Kidd said the Griffith Base Hospital is “under enormous pressure,” with doctors, nurses and allied health workers at GBH were “working their guts out for patients” while being under resourced.

“Unfortunately, Griffith patients are waiting almost two months longer than other patients across NSW for cataract removal,” Mr Kidd said.

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The Director Operation of MLHD, Brett Thompson, said despite the 4 per cent increase in Emergency Department presentations and a 24 per cent increase in non-urgent cases, Griffith Base Hospital performed better that its peer hospitals in NSW.

“Griffith Base Hospital is striving to maintain and improve this performance, and strong relationships with the primary health sector to support patients which chronic illness and reduce their need for hospitalisation, is one of the many strategies being used to support the Griffith Base Hospital Emergency Department.”

He also pointed out the NSW Government’s recently announced $3 million in funding to help cut wait lists for cataract and hip and knee surgeries. The MLHD is one of the districts eligible for this funding.

Nationals candidate for Murray Austin Evans responded by saying this was the most negative campaign they’ve ever seen in Murray. “Labor are all spin and no solutions,” Mr Evans said.

“Every single patient at Griffith Base Hospital – 100 per cent – had their elective surgery on time, according to the report,” he said.