Darwin Oncology Unit Rules Out Adelaide Treatment for Central Australians

"The Labor Government has again ruled out allowing cancer suffers in Alice Springs to access treatment in Adelaide once an Oncology Unit has been built in Darwin,” says Matt Conlan, Shadow Health Minister.

"This morning I met with the Health Minister, Chris Burns, in Alice Springs and he indicated that cancer suffers in Central Australia would be forced to travel to Darwin despite overwhelming public support for Adelaide to remain an option.

"It's a great shame the Darwin-based Minister and his bureaucrats weren't at the recent meeting in Alice that unanimously endorsed keeping the Adelaide option.

"He should be listening to the people of Central Australia about the importance of having Adelaide as a place to go for cancer treatment.

"It's unlikely to cost the Territory Government a great deal extra to allow some cancer suffers in Central Australia to be around family and friends in Adelaide whilst they are receiving treatment.

"At the very least the Minister should be providing details of the likely cost to the taxpayer of a patient being treated in Darwin or Adelaide.

"On a brighter note the Minister did indicate that an announcement concerning other aspects of PATS is imminent.

"Minister Burns hinted of an improvement of Government support relating to transport to and from treatment centres, provision for carers and improved processing of payment to patients.

"PATS has been neglected for so long and is now deficient in so many areas that a complete overhaul in needed.

"One area crying out for improvement is the miserly $33 a day allowance provided for accommodation expenses.

"$33 would only just cover the cost of a bunk bed in a backpacker's hostel.

"Whether the Minister is capable of delivering the necessary reforms remains to be seen but I look forward to seeing exactly what he is proposing.”

2008-03-26