Darwin Hospital Oncology Unit Saga Drags On

The Territory Opposition is calling on the 3 Territory members of the Federal Labor Government to clarify the situation regarding the promised Oncology Unit for Royal Darwin Hospital.

“There has been a suspicious silence from the Federal Government regarding its promise to fund an Oncology Unit,” says Matt Conlan, Shadow Minister for Health.

“We know funds from the Better Access to Oncology program have been re-directed to establish oncology units in Cairns and Lismore. We have no such information regarding the promised Darwin Oncology Unit.

“Territory members of the Federal Government have been quick to point to projects that have been allocated funds in this year’s Federal budget.

“Ominously, to date the only reassurance that the new Federal Government will indeed fund an Oncology Unit comes from a Territory Government spokeswoman.

“As members of the Federal Government Warren Snowdon, Trish Crossin and Damian Hale can and should clear up the confusion.

“They should be fully informed about the exact nature of the Federal Government’s plans for an Oncology Unit at RDH.

“The people of the Territory have been on a promise for 7 long years.

“Too many people have died waiting for Territory Labor to fulfil its 2001 promise to establish an Oncology Unity at RDH.

“Too many people continue to face the emotional and financial strain of travelling interstate to seek treatment for cancer because of the failure of Labor to deliver on its 2001 promise.”

2008-05-15