Wednesday 20 May 2009

51,000 CANCER PATIENTS SUFFER BECAUSE OF LABOR’S FAILURE TO PLAN

The State Labor Government’s incompetence and failure to plan are the reasons why more than 50,000 cancer patients have been unable to get the vital radiotherapy treatments they need Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

A report by the NSW Cancer Council (Improving Radiotherapy where to from here?) states:

More than 50,000 cancer patients couldn’t get vital radiotherapy treatment (p.4);
Only 36% of newly diagnosed cancer patients in NSW received radiotherapy treatment, considerably lower than any agreed benchmark, and lower than the levels achieved in other jurisdictions (p.11), and;
Since 2006, there has been no published plan for radiotherapy services (p.9)

“Every day in NSW a cancer patient misses out on radiotherapy treatment because the incompetent Rees Labor Government has failed to provide the services,” Mrs Skinner said.

“Families are being put through unnecessary pain and suffering because their loved ones can’t get the cancer treatments they need,” she said.

“Because of Labor’s failure to plan, cancer patients either have to pay high upfront fees for private facilities, or travel long distances – with the associated costs – to a public facility where the wait time will likely be more than clinically recommended.

“There is a radiotherapy services plan sitting gathering dust on the Rees Government’s desk. It has been sitting there since March and John Della Bosca’s continued reluctance to release it shows he has something to hide.

“The NSW Liberal/Nationals have positive practical plans to improve radiotherapy services for cancer patients, regardless of where they live.

“Improved access to radiotherapy services will lead to improved survival rates and increased positive outcomes for patients and their families,” Mrs Skinner said.