Wagga residents will no longer be out of pocket for radiotherapy. Photo: Riverina Cancer Care Centre.
Wagga cancer patients will soon be able to access free radiotherapy and medical oncology treatment after the NSW Regional Health Minister signed a new agreement with the Riverina Cancer Care Centre (RCCC) to close the gap in treatment costs.
Minister Ryan Park confirmed the agreement during Question Time in parliament on Wednesday (19 June) and acknowledged that it was overdue.
“Out-of-pocket expenses, added to cancer diagnosis is very, very challenging. They’re magnified in regional and rural areas where the distance between treatments can be very, very significant,” he said, acknowledging the advocacy of Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr.
“I want to thank the Member for Wagga for giving me the opportunity to work with him and his community to get this fixed,” Mr Park said.
“All cancer patients, no matter where they live in NSW, should have equitable access to the most timely and appropriate treatment they require.
“This new arrangement means patients will no longer have to pay for lifesaving treatment, they can receive their care closer to home and some patients will no longer have to travel long distances to receive their care at bulk-billing facilities to avoid out-of-pocket costs.”
Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed to Wagga MP Dr Joe McGirr that the gap in cancer treatment costs has been removed. Photo: Supplied.
In September 2022, Griffith’s new treatment facility reached a no-gap agreement with private operator Cancer Care Partner Group, which also operates Wagga’s community-owned facility.
The situation in Wagga was complicated by the fact that the RCCC was the first regional cancer care centre established in NSW and was not included in subsequent agreements between the Commonwealth and the State Governments and newer treatment centres.
Cancer patients who had been admitted to Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) hospitals would have their treatment at RCCC fully covered, however, outpatients referred to the centre could be left $480 out of pocket for a course of treatment.
MLHD has now selected RCCC as the provider for cancer services in Wagga Wagga enabling it to remove the out-of-pocket costs for all patients attending the centre.
Dr McGirr said that it was “fantastic news” for people in the Riverina who had been fighting for “equity in cancer care”.
“Last year, I presented parliament with a petition of 12,000 signatures calling for radiotherapy services in Wagga to have no out-of-pocket costs,” he said.
“I’m delighted that local patients will now get the same support as those in other regional centres.
“Undergoing cancer treatment is of course a very traumatic time for patients and their families and until now, that trauma was often worsened by hefty out-of-pocket costs for life-changing care.
“Now, that financial burden has been lifted and I congratulate Minister Park for listening to our community’s very valid concerns and bringing equity to our community.”
The new agreement comes into effect from 1 July.
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