Baillee French with her fiance Drew Napier and son Jasper when he was a baby. Photo: Supplied.
Griffith families are facing wait times of up to two years to see a paediatrician, with growing anger directed at the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) over its failure to replace the hospital’s longstanding specialist.
Young mum Baillee French, 25, recently tried to book appointments for her four-year-old son, Jasper.
“I was advised to contact Wagga, and I was told we’d have a 24-month wait for an autism assessment,” she said.
“I believe it was a 12-to-18-month wait to see their paediatric allergist.
“My son has idiopathic anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening condition. You can’t afford to wait that long, and you don’t want to travel hours to see a doctor.”
Paediatric services in Griffith have been under severe strain since the death of Professor Maxwell Hopp late last year. Over 25 years, he treated thousands of children and ran one of the few allergy clinics in regional NSW.
At a recent inquiry into a push to separate Griffith Hospital from its Wagga-based administration, it was revealed MLHD had no plans to replace the much-loved specialist — a decision now fuelling community frustration.
“There should have been a plan for what would happen after Professor Hopp. Even without this tragedy, he could have become ill or eventually retired — but they didn’t seem to prepare at all,” Ms French said.
“When Professor Hopp did pass away, MLHD didn’t even have the respect to use his official title. That shows what they thought of him.”
Virginia Tropeano (right) told an inquiry hearing that MLHD had no plans to replace Professor Hopp. Yvonne Turnell looks on. Photo: NSW Legislative Assembly.
The situation has been compounded in recent weeks, with another paediatrician at the hospital unavailable due to illness, further limiting already scarce services.
Some Griffith parents have sought appointments in Wagga, but have been told that they would face waits of between 12 and 24 months.
Alison Fraser said she had been left in limbo while seeking treatment for her nine-year-old son, Beau, who was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Beau had been booked into a specialist diabetes clinic before the appointment was abruptly cancelled.
“We received a call a couple of days before the appointment saying the doctor had taken unexpected leave and we’d have to reschedule,” she said.
Ms Fraser has since attempted to rebook, but has not been told whether or when the clinic will resume.
“We just want some communication — to know whether the clinic will reopen, or if we need to go to Wagga or Sydney,” she said.
“I don’t understand why they can’t continue the clinic without a paediatrician, when we can still get script changes from a GP.”
Jasper was allergy tested in 2024, but will be much bigger by the time of his next appointment. Photo: Supplied.
Hanwood mother Katrina Hoskins said her experience reflected a broader pattern.
“I just got a referral from my GP to see a paediatrician and was told it’s an 18-month wait. My name will just be added to the end of the list,” she said.
“I contacted St Vincent’s to see if they have any private paediatricians that operate from there, but they do not. It’s not good enough.”
Ms French said the lack of basic paediatric care was not only affecting families now, but risked Griffith’s future.
“Who would want to move to Griffith? You already have to go to Wagga for a broken bone, and now children can’t even get basic care,” she said.
“It’s unacceptable. Our hospital is lacking so many essential services — the least MLHD could do is put local kids first.”
Region asked the MLHD whether it had plans to replace Professor Hopp and to clarify the situation for parents seeking paediatric care, but it did not respond.
If you’d like to voice your concern about the lack of paediatric services at Griffith Base Hospital, text or call Oliver on 0498 843 181, or email: [email protected].
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
