Wagga residents are asking why they will remain out of pocket for radiotherapy. Photo: Riverina Cancer Care Centre.
The good news last week that the NSW Government has guaranteed free radiotherapy for those seeking cancer treatment at Griffith’s soon-to-be-opened facility has left patients in Wagga wondering why the same does not apply to them.
Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor announced last week that an agreement with the private operators of the facility, Cancer Care Partner Group, would guarantee affordable access and no out-of-pocket costs for radiotherapy.
“We know cost and availability of cancer services for people in Griffith and surrounding communities has been a long-standing concern, so it is great to be able to share we have been working hard to resolve this issue and now have a positive outcome,” Mrs Taylor said.
Duty MLC Wes Fang agreed it was good news that there would be no out-of-pocket costs for the new centre in Griffith.
“Patients living in Griffith and surrounding communities currently have to travel hundreds of kilometres to regional centres like Wagga and Albury for cancer care,” Mr Fang said.
“Once open, this centre will provide a huge benefit to the local community.”
Murray MP Helen Dalton has been lobbying for some time for both Wagga and Griffith’s radiotherapy services to be fully covered by the government and celebrated the win for Griffith, calling it “the best news ever”.
Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr has also backed the push and asked: “Why can’t they do the same here?”
Cancer Council community programs coordinator in Wagga, Sheridan Evans, agreed.
“They need to ensure that there’s equity across the region,” she said.
“If it’s good enough for Griffith, why isn’t it good enough for Wagga?”
The situation appears to be complicated by an intersection of private enterprise and federal and state government.
The new facility in Griffith is due to open in March and will be operated by the same providers as in Wagga.
The new centre is funded by the Federal Government, and will be in Binya street.
In Wagga, the centre was funded by the community and remains a private facility.
Region asked the Minister for Regional Health to clarify whether the NSW Government would also provide a subsidy to ensure Wagga Riverina Cancer Care patients also received free treatment.
A spokesperson for Minister Taylor said in a statement: “The Murrumbidgee Local Health District already has an agreement with Cancer Care Partner Group to ensure patients have affordable access to the Wagga facility and the services it provides.”
Mr Fang added: “The Government is continuing to work towards an equitable outcome for all residents of the Riverina.”
But Dr McGirr has questioned the agreement that will apparently continue to leave Wagga residents $480 out of pocket for a course of treatment.
“If the agreement in Griffith is the same as the one in Wagga, then how do we know it will lead to no out-of-pocket costs since the one in Wagga hasn’t?” he asked.
“How does the Minister know that the agreement in Griffith is going to reduce out-of-pocket costs?
“And if it’s not the same, then why can’t we have that agreement in Wagga?”
Dr McGirr encouraged Wagga residents to visit his Baylis Street office to add their signatures to a petition calling for radiotherapy services in both cities to be fully covered by the Government.
“People can come here and sign it and we’ll be getting it out to doctor surgeries in the next few weeks.”
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