Tuesday 23 June 2009
LABOR’S SECRET STATE KEEPS RADIOTHERAPY PLAN HIDDEN WHEN CASES WILL INCREASE BY 30%
The Rees Labor Government’s continued efforts to keep the current radiotherapy services plan secret shows neither Nathan Rees nor Health Minister John Della Bosca care about giving cancer patients the services they need, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.
An Auditor General’s report into radiotherapy services released today has found cancer cases will increase by 30% over the next ten years, but the Rees Labor Government is keeping service plans secret and ignoring areas of need.
“The Auditor General has found the Central Coast, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Hunter/New England and Sydney West/Sydney South West regions are all areas of geographic need, requiring investment in radiotherapy services,” Mrs Skinner said.
“Labor has failed to give these areas the radiotherapy services they need to ensure local families are not split apart during prolonged treatment, leaving patients isolated and far away from their loved ones during a very difficult time in their life,” she said.
”What’s worse is that despite allegedly developing a radiotherapy services plan, Labor has failed to publicly release it.
“Only a weak, incompetent and inexperienced Premier would refuse to release a radiotherapy services plan when cancer cases are predicted to increase by 30%.
“Nathan Rees’ weak and inexperienced leadership has resulted in this important planning document being kept secret. As usual Labor’s preference is for spin over real solutions. Labor prefers the secret state.
“How are the community and clinicians supposed to address the shortage of radiotherapy services in areas of need when the Rees Labor Government refuses to release the official planning document?
“The NSW Liberal/Nationals will put patients first by developing an integrated radiotherapy services plan in government, and keeping the community fully informed through their local Health Districts.
“The NSW Liberal/Nationals have positive practical plans to improve radiotherapy services,” Mrs Skinner said.