Afree community forum will be held at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre tonight at 5.30pm regarding the push for a Limestone Coast radiation treatment service.
Radiation Treatment Limestone Coast Working Party chair Lachlan Haynes said the forum would be an opportunity to update everyone on where the issue is currently at.
“It is our chance to reconnect with the community after we were lucky enough to have over 20,000 of the Limestone Coast members sign our petition,” he said.
“We want to let them know that we have been very active and what we have been up to.
“After our petition we have gone and done a legislative review committee appearance in Adelaide to back up after our petition was tabled to parliament.
“We have also triggered a feasibility study that is being done.”
The forum will include an interactive Q&A with representatives from the State Government, State Opposition, Radiation Treatment Service Providers, doctors, and patients.
“We have got really good speakers from the radiation treatment industry, and we want to have them have their say and bring the audience with them about why they believe this can be provided for our region and why our region absolutely could have this service ongoing,” Mr Haynes said.
Mr Haynes said the forum would also educate people on what it is like for patients travelling to Warrnambool or Adelaide for treatment and the reality of this leading to lower outcomes of cancer treatment.
“We have seen the cost it has on people, and we have seen there are so many people in our group that have first-hand experience about the cost it has for people both financially and emotionally.
“We absolutely think that this is an area that can absolutely justify this, we have had the federal funds on the table for a number of years and we would really like to utilise them for their intended purpose which was the provision of radiation treatment for the Limestone Coast.”
Mr Haynes said the forum had received a great community response and he encouraged everyone from across the region to attend.
“We want it to be a real show of support from the region for those who are in attendance; we had over 20,000 people sign the petition, so we know the support is strong,” he said.
“We would like to see that visibly as a sign by the people that are in the room at Sir Robert Helpmann theatre.
“We want as many people to come tonight, to hear the story and be educated further and go out as knowledgeable advocates for us in the community as well.
“Ultimately, we want to show the state government the level of interest and support. We would like them to reconsider their position and we would really like their change of mind to support this.
“We really ask if people can come and support us come along and be educated and show through strength of numbers in the theatre just how popular this is for the region, back up the petition numbers and really sell to the State Government that we would really like this service.”
People can register via www.trybooking.com/1074913 and walk-ins will be accepted.
