A report that’s been released due to a freedom of information request, shows there is sustainable demand for radiotherapy services in the Eurobodalla.
Professor Michael Reid’s “Independent Review into Access to Radiation Therapy Services for Residents of the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley” was commissioned by NSW Health and published in September 2023, but only released last week.
The report found there is enough demand on the Far South Coast to support radiotherapy services at the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital but there are no current plans for the hospital to include radiotherapy services.
In July, Bega MP, Dr Michael Holland originally said the cost of adding radiotherapy services to the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital would be close to $50 million however a week later, at a public meeting at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, Southern NSW Local Health District CEO, Margaret Bennett indicated to fully commission a linear accelerator and radiotherapy service would cost “in the vicinity of $100 million”.
Professor Reid’s report suggests that such a centre would not cost $100 million dollars as publicly stated by Ms Bennett and other NSW Health officials.
But a Southern NSW Local Health District (LHD) spokesperson said the report does not include up-to-date costs for building, maintaining and staffing a new service.
“Our Health District works closely with the Cancer Institute NSW and NSW Health to ensure patients with cancer in southern NSW have access to the best and most appropriate treatment, as close to home as possible,” the spokesperson said.
“The report by Michael Reid and Associates was commissioned by NSW Health to review the viability of radiation therapy services across the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla regions. The report is informing ongoing district planning and negotiations with the Australian Government in relation to the provision of radiation therapy services.
“The Report references comparable radiotherapy service developments dating back 10 years, but does not include up-to-date costs for building, maintaining and staffing a new service within the Eurobodalla. The Report’s costing examples also do not account for the increase in construction costs affecting the building industry globally.
“The District continually monitors demand for all health services, including radiotherapy services, and
aligns future service delivery with best practice guidelines, safety, sustainability and current and
future service demand.”
Eurobodalla Shire Council unanimously agreed to advocate for Radiotherapy Services at the new Eurobodalla Hospital.
And some people in the Far South Coast community have been appalled reading that the Southern NSW LHD’s chief executive Margaret Bennett compared the investment in a Far South Coast radiotherapy centre in the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital with spending money for a swimming pool in a new house when laundry and bathroom are not yet done.
Dakota Edsea, is a Eurobodalla local, who had to travel from Moruya to Sydney on a regular basis after her 6-month-old boy, Eli, was dianosed with a rare form of leukemia.
“We definitely need these services,” Ms Edsea said.
If you haven’t heard Dakota’s story, listen back anytime on the iHeart Radio website below.
“There are so many people that have to travel so far, and so many people that don’t have the means of getting there and back,”she continued.
“We need more services available in the region, especially as we are such a fast-growing area, we just need to have radiation services available.”
View the full report HERE.
Images: NSW Health, Dr Michael Holland, ARN Bega Bay
