Acommunity forum has been called to update people on the push for radiation treatment services in the Limestone Coast.
The forum will be held at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on July 25 at 5.30pm and will include a panel of speakers.
Speakers include representatives from the State Government, State Opposition, Radiation Treatment Service Providers, doctors and patients.
Radiation Treatment Limestone Coast Working Party chair Lachlan Haynes hoped the forum would be an opportunity for everyone to hear from all interested parties regarding where the issue is currently at and allow community members to ask questions and raise concerns.
“The Working Group has met with the Limestone Coast Local Health Network and the State Health Minister, and there remains some unanswered questions and a degree of misinformation regarding radiation treatment and its viability in the Limestone Coast,” Mr Haynes said.
“We want the opportunity for all members of the community who signed the petition to receive an update regarding the campaign’s progress and ask necessary questions.”
The working party has also expressed concerns regarding an $80,000 feasibility study being undertaken to determine if a radiation treatment centre will be established in the Limestone Coast.
“The fact the $4.3m of federal funding is being spent on consulting suites, car parking and staff rooms before we know the outcome of the feasibility study is concerning,” Mr Haynes said.
“When the group met with the State Minister in Adelaide we asked for that funding to be quarantined until the feasibility study was completed but the Minister has refused that request based on advice from the Local Health Network.
“We are the state’s second largest city in a thriving region and we deserve improved health services.
“The health and wellbeing of our community underpins our economic contribution to the state.
“Sadly, the State Government seems to think the 65,000 people living, working and raising families in the Limestone Coast do not deserve the same services available to community members in Mildura and Griffith.”
“Our aim is to have an open and transparent conversation with all stakeholders at this important community meeting,” Mr Haynes said.
“This issue is not going away, and we need to make that clear to those who make the funding decisions about the availability of health services in our community.”
Details regarding panel members and other important speakers will be announced in coming weeks.
The event is free to attend, however bookings are encouraged via www.trybooking.com/1074913
