The Murrumbidgee Local Health District is conducting a community survey to finalise the name of Wagga Rural Referral Hospital.

The survey closes on November 30.

Survey results will go to the MLHD board for consideration before the end of the year with the name to be finalised “as soon as possible”.

The name of the hospital has caused sustained controversy since it was changed in 2015 as part of the redevelopment of the facility.

The Daily Advertiser has been running an online poll on this issue and has had more than 1630 responses.

In total, 86.19 per cent have backed a return to the former moniker of Wagga Base Hospital.

Running a distant second, on 7.95 per cent is the alternative of Wagga Hospital, while the current title of Wagga Regional Referral Hospital has gathered just 5.87 per cent of the vote so far.

The issue came to a head after a campaign started by Wagga woman Catherine Pierce to change it.

Mrs Pierce began her campaign after she became trapped in a lift in the new hospital building during a freak storm and the emergency operator was unable to find "Wagga Rural Referral Hospital”, but eventually found the Wagga Base Hospital name.

After this experience Mrs Pierce collected more than 4100 signatures on a petition supporting a return to the old name and has vowed to gather more signatures, and to take the issue directly to Minister for Health Brad Hazzard.

The MLHD board is offering Wagga residents the chance to nominate their preferred option of three: Wagga Regional Referral Hospital, Wagga Base Hospital or simply just Wagga Hospital.

“Feedback from people in Wagga has told us - the community would like to be involved in determining the name for the hospital,” MLHD board chairwoman Gayle Murphy said.

The survey is available online, through the MLHD website or the MLHD Facebook page.

Hard copies will also be available at the hospital reception, Hospital Auxiliary Op Shop in Fitzmaurice Street, and some pharmacies.