Health network questioned over why Mount Gambier missed out on a radiation therapy centre

A major regional council is ‘dumbfounded’ after federal grant money was left on the table, meaning sick residents must travel hours for treatment.

A major regional hub has been left dumbfounded after reports federal funding for cancer treatments had been declined by the state government and local health network.

In April of 2019, former Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced $63.4 million for 13 sites in need of new radiation therapy services, including Mount Gambier.

According to Barker MP Tony Pasin, a lack of state government support meant the plans did not proceed.

Tony Pasin outside of the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service. Picture: Tony Pasin

“I was told by the (then) federal health minister that the (then) state health minister’s office did not receive support from the Limestone Coast Local Health Network for the initiative,” Mr Pasin said.

“When I asked why a local health network would not support increase services in their region, I was told they were concerned it would compromise the viability of the service in Warrnambool.”

According to Mr Pasin, the plans initially rejected by the former Liberal state government, have not been supported by the new state government, which has invested heavily in the region’s health network.

Mr Pasin said Labor and Health Minister Chris Picton had talked “a big game about health services in the Limestone Coast” but continued to “refuses to review the current service model despite federal government funding”.

A motion from councillor Ben Hood seeking answers from Limestone Coast Local Health Network Chair Grant King “as to why the LCLHN refused to support the proposal by the former Federal Government” unanimously passed at the Mount Gambier City Council Tuesday meeting.

Cr Frank Morello, who seconded the motion, said it “unjust to our community” to prioritise an interstate service over Mount Gambier.

Mr Hood said he and the other councillors were “dumbfounded” after hearing the state government and local health network did not lend its support.

Limestone Coast Local Health Network Chair Grant King outside the Mount Gambier Hospital. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“When federal government are willing and ready to, to invest in the services that we need the first thought should always be for our community and not for a service that’s operated in another state,” Mr Hood said.

Mr Hood said he understood it was not financially viable for certain specialist services to be located in Mount Gambier.

“(But) when you’re talking about something as life altering as cancer … I think it’s vitally important that we — have the services for our community right here,” he said.

“From what I understand — the answer from our local health network was ‘we don’t want to put any pressure on a business that’s operating in a in a completely different state two hours away.’

Mr Hood added rising cost of living pressures and the price of fuel sharpened the need for local services.

Limestone Coast Local Health Network Chair Grant King issued a brief statement.

“We continue to review cancer services in our region, it’s under constant review,” he said.

“We will continue to review what we currently provide and anything that might be able to be provided into the future.”

SA Health and Health Minister Chris Picton were contacted for comment.