A southern Riverina GP who regularly transfers patients to Albury has backed a push for a new hospital in the twin cities.
Finley-based Dr Alam Yoosuff said the vast majority of patients he treated in his hometown, Berrigan, Tocumwal and Jerilderie relied on Albury for advanced treatment.
But he said there were some glaring infrastructure shortcomings which could be overcome with a new hospital.
"When we have really sick patients from Finley and surrounds we send them to Albury," he said.
"People like to stay on the NSW side if they can.
"Hopefully a new building with a new face can have electronic medical records.
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"At the moment they are still doing handwritten medical records.
"In some respects we are still in a very old version of healthcare in Albury-Wodonga infrastructure wise.
"Infrastructure needs to be improved, parking areas need to be improved, the emergency department is 20 to 30 years old and is not fit for purpose.
"We have very clever clinicians, a very good name for the hospital and it's time we upped the ante a bit more with governments.
"It's time to fight."
Dr Yoosuff said patients he treated would only be sent to Wagga for acute coronary angiograms with the Albury cath lab only doing booked angiograms.
"It is not accredited to do emergency procedures," he said.
"Even if there is an urgent case in Albury, they get airlifted to Melbourne."
Dr Yoosuff is also a director of the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network and Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
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