HUGE WIN FOR LOCAL CANCER PATIENTS

In a major breakthrough for Riverina cancer patients, the Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has secured a pledge from the government in parliament to provide free (bulk-billed) radiotherapy and medical oncology treatment from next year.
 
The assurance from the Minister for Health and Regional Health, Ryan Park, came six months after Dr McGirr presented to Parliament a petition with 12,000 signatures calling for radiotherapy services in Wagga to be bulk-billed, as they are in other regional centres.
 
In Question Time on Tuesday, Dr McGirr asked the minister when Wagga and region radiotherapy patients would receive equity through having their out-of-pocket expenses for critical treatment eliminated.
 
Mr Park replied that tenders would be called in December for providers to deliver bulk-billed services for radiotherapy, medical oncology and medical oncology outreach services for Wagga and surrounds.
 
The tenders will close in January 2024, with the services to be provided “as quickly as possible”.
 
Dr McGirr says that while Wagga patients should not have had to wait this long to get equity in cancer care, he is delighted that local people can now look forward to a significant easing of the financial burden at very difficult times in their lives.
 
“This is a fantastic development for our community and one we have been seeking for many months,” he said.
 
“It goes without saying that undergoing treatment for cancer is incredibly traumatic for patients and their loved ones, and for those people to have been hit with hefty out-of-pocket costs for treatment was unfair and financially burdensome – so I’m very happy that our combined lobbying efforts have finally delivered that crucial support to our region.
 
“I thank the NSW Government for acting on the concerns raised by our community and would like to especially thank those patients, carers and loved-ones who helped to make this wonderful breakthrough happen.
 
“My focus now will be to ensure that these services are introduced by mid 2024 and that patients get the best possible treatment, providing new hope at a challenging time.”

Dr McGirr's question in Parliament and the minister's answer can be viewed here.