Local Member Mia Davies MLA has requested the Minister for Health ensure Northam Hospital was funded to allow patients from the region with bladder cancer to be treated locally.
In a budget estimates committee this week Ms Davies quizzed Minister Cook on why the service wasn’t offered, saying it would make life easier for Wheatbelt patients currently travelling to Perth to receive treatment.
“I am aware there are a number of patients from the Wheatbelt who would benefit from this treatment being provided locally,” Ms Davies said.
“I am advised by a specialist that the introduction of BCG treatment to Northam is possible, and would require only a minimal investment in staff training.”
Intravesical BCG immunotherapy treatment is a common treatment prescribed for people with high-risk bladder cancer. A typical course of BCG involves weekly treatment for six weeks followed by monthly treatment for another nine months.
Ms Davies said this created significant pressure for patients who were already travelling long distances for potentially life-saving treatment.
“Providing training and support for staff to facilitate the treatment to be offered at Northam Hospital could also reduce Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS) costs,” she said.
“I am advised that just one complete course of BCG treatment potentially amounts to 16 PATS payments for each patient.
“For what would be a minimal investment we could improve treatment options for Wheatbelt patients and reduce the cost of travel for them and the State Government.
“I am pleased the Minister was open to investigating how the Department could accommodate this request.”
Ms Davies provided information to the Health Department after the estimates committee hearing and said she would be following up with the Minister.
“Offering this service for our Wheatbelt residents would be a positive step and I’m happy to work with the Minister to get a better outcome,” Ms Davies said.
About 3,000 Australians are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year and it is the fourth most common cancer in Australian men. If detected early, before it has spread outside the bladder, it can be treated successfully and cured.
The Health Minister said the rebuild taking place at Northam is going to be a fantastic facility once it is completed and said he was happy to look into the increased staff training.
