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Residents should embrace the new name of the city’s hospital as a source of pride, according the chairman of the Wagga Local Health Advisory Committee, Kerry Geale.
Mr Geale has spoken out as the Murrumbidgee Local Health District begins a survey aimed at giving the community a say on the name of the hospital.
Wagga residents have until November 30 to take part in the survey, either online or using a printed card, and give a tick to one of three names: Wagga Rural Referral Hospital, Wagga Base Hospital or Wagga Hospital.
Mr Geale said the name had been changed from Wagga Base Hospital to Wagga Rural Referral Hospital when the new facility’s main building was opened because it was a convention of the Department of Health.
“This is a state-of-the-art hospital. It is beyond a base hospital,” Mr Geale said.
“Calling it the base hospital again would be a demotion.
“We are in a new era. It’s a fantastic place. There is no reason to go back.”
Mr Geale was concerned that changing the name back may also give the wrong impression to potential staff considering a move to Wagga.
“Times have changed and we have moved on,” he said.
“The name of the hospital needs to reflect its status so that we can attract staff.
“Being designated as a ‘referral’ hospital is a step up and a reflection on the staff and facilities.”
Mr Geale also expressed concern about the time and money being invested in a public survey on the issue; resources he felt could have been better spent elsewhere.
Like Mr Geale, former Wagga deputy mayor Mary Kidson was concerned about the cost of changing the hospital’s name.
Mrs Kidson said there were many facilities at the hospital – such as safety equipment – that had been registered in the name of the Wagga Rural Referral Hospital and, if the title was changed, would require the process to be repeated.
“It costs quite a lot of money. That money could be much better used,” she said.
“It’s all a storm in a teacup.
“When we had Wagga District Hospital years ago, there were no complaints when the name was changed to a base hospital.”
Like Mr Geale, Mrs Kidson believes Wagga has plenty to celebrate about the new hospital.
“I just love it,” she said.
“Being able to visit the paediatric and cardio wards and see the buttons on the walls that turn on the landing lights on the roof for helicopters is wonderful.”