Deni Hospital can ease regional pressures

Published on 25 June 2025

A new Deniliquin Hospital can play an important role in reducing capacity issues at other large regional hospitals.

Edward River Council Mayor Ashley Hall says this will be highlighted to the NSW Government and personnel involved in providing health services across the state.

“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 said.

He added it was widely recognised that over past decades there has been limited investment in Deniliquin Hospital, and as a result numerous patients who present at the local hospital are 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 says community feedback, workforce retention challenges and service delivery limitations have all highlighted the need for a facility that can:

• Support a broader range of medical and allied health services

• Attract and retain skilled health professionals

• Integrate with surrounding Local Health Districts and private providers

• Respond effectively to emergency and acute care needs

• Cater to a diverse population across Deniliquin and neighbouring areas.

Council has since discussed its Position Statement with 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 (CSP) 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.

“Our CEO, Jack Bond, recently uncovered a copy of the Pastoral Times from 25 years ago, and the need for a new hospital was identified back then. Deniliquin has been neglected for too long and our community deserves a boost to health services that the hospital and broader health precinct would provide.

“From the State Government’s perspective, this can also help it reduce the reliance on large hospitals such as Albury,” he concluded.

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