The response of the NSW Minister for Health concerning radiation oncology services in the Eurobodalla is little short of buck passing from a Minister who appears to have little interest in chasing up the promises made by the now Federal Government who made a series of election promises to deliver radiation services to the Eurobodalla.
On the 11th April 2019 The Nationals published the following:
In addition to the $6 billion a year the Liberal National Government provides for cancer treatments and services, we are investing $63.4 million to expand cancer treatment capacity through new radiation therapy services in 13 regional locations.
The federally funded initiative will provide greater access, help and support for people fighting cancer.
The new centres will deliver high quality, comprehensive radiation oncology services in the following areas;
NSW – South Coast (Eurobodalla), Grafton/Clarence Valley, Tweed region
Mid North Coast (Nambucca/Kempsey), Taree Region, Armidale, and Western NSW/Griffith
QLD – Gladstone
VIC – East Gippsland and Warragul/South Gippsland Regions
SA – Mr Gambier/Limestone Coast
TAS – Burnie
WA – Geraldton
The Government is addressing the very real difficulty patients in regional and rural communities face in accessing radiation therapy – therapy that could change their lives.
It is vital that we do all we can to provide cancer care for patients living in Australia.
We know that radiation therapy can open up options for people’s cancer treatment mix. It is a proven, life-saving therapy used in 48 per cent of successful cancer treatments.
It helps patients with certain types of cancer avoid expensive and intrusive surgery, saving them thousands of dollars and avoiding long recoveries.
Yet we also know that a key barrier to radiation therapy in Australia is not cost, nor its effectiveness. It’s lack of access.Too many Australians – especially people in regional and rural communities – cannot access radiation therapy because they live too far from their nearest radiation therapy centre.
A long drive or bus trip for therapy means time, money and inconvenience for patients at this stressful time in their lives. Through this funding, we can help patients to overcome these issues, so they and their families can focus on what matters – fighting and beating cancer.
The Liberal National Government is committed to supporting regional Australia, and is working with key stakeholders to ensure that the investment is well targeted to support regional population centres that can service their surrounding areas.
The above is a clear election promise.... Vote for us and we will deliver.
Yet now we read from Minister Hazzard that they (NSW State) are going to monitor population. The Liberal National media release above did not indicate such a condition.
Above: Mr Hazzard advises Eurobodalla resident s there are other options such as Canberra or Shoalhaven and if they qualify he might give them a travel voucher. That is a long way from a Federal promise of provision of service IN THE EUROBODALLA.
It appears to be a common theme regarding correspondence with politicians whether it is radiation oncology services or mental health services - speak to someone else in management, refer to another level of government or another department.
There is a Federal Government budget commitment of $64 million for rural radiation oncology services including the Eurobodalla.
How will NSW Health use it? If Minister Hazzard is not pursuing it will local Member Constance prod the Minister for Health to actually get of his backside and represent those residents in NSW who were promised, during an election campaign. The letter below says much of Minister Hazzard and speaks volumes of the now apparent empty promises made by the Liberals and Nationals who advised voters in the Eurobodalla that, if elected, they would deliver.
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