The push for a radiation treatment centre to be established in Mount Gambier is continuing, with the State Government agreeing to put on hold plans to reallocate $4.3m in Federal Government funding previously earmarked for the facility.

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin and Independent Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell, along with Member for MacKillop Nick McBride, met with Health and Wellbeing Minister Chris Picton and Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) chairperson Grant King to discuss the matter.

“The meeting highlighted a number of issues that need to be worked through, but there was an agreement not to allocate the $4.3m dollars which has been committed by the Federal Government, until all issues have been addressed and a proposal put to the State Health Minister,” Mr Bell

said.

“One of the concerns raised was the doubling of State Government requirement from an initial $1.5m per year to a required $3m per year commitment.

“A proposal is now being worked on which will address in greater detail the number of patients and types of cancers that will be treated and accurate costs to the State Government on a yearly basis.”

Speaking on radio last week, Mr Pasin said there were a few takeouts from the meeting.

“The first one for me was ultimately this was a decision for the South Australian Minister for Health Chris Picton which was made very clear, and that is important because we need to know who is ultimately responsible for making this choice,” Mr Pasin said.

“What is less encouraging is the minister made it clear that his position has not changed in relation to radiotherapy, that at this stage there is no inclination to change that.”

The former Coalition Government allocated $4.3m in 2019 to help bring radiation treatment to the Limestone Coast by offering to fund the capital required to purchase the necessary equipment.

However, recently Senate Estimates confirmed the State Labor Government was negotiating with the Federal Labor Government to use the $4.3m for ‘broader services’ rather than radiation treatment.

“I have never had to work harder to deliver something the community so desperately wants when there is money on the table,” Mr Pasin said.

“When I remind decision makers that that is close to 200 families, that at the worst time of their life when they have been given a cancer diagnosis it would prevent them having to travel to Adelaide, live in Adelaide for six weeks, many people cannot afford that.

“And instead, local authorities want to spend that money on a telehealth centre to ensure that doctors, oncologists, urologists do not have to travel to Mount Gambier.”

A petition was recently launched to encourage the State Government to support the push for the radiation treatment service.

Mr Bell thanked the input of all members who attended and the genuine commitment to addressing the issues that were raised.

“When you are going through cancer, the last thing you want to think about is travelling for treatment that could be offered locally – it’s a huge physical and financial burden when you are seriously unwell,” he said.

“I encourage all community members to sign the petition so our voices can have a collective impact.”