Federal government announced the biggest investment in cancer nurses

Health Minister Mark Butler has announced the biggest investment in cancer nurses on record.

McGrath Breast Care Nurses Rachel Giannakas, left, and Giselle Ciavarella.

Cancer patients will have significantly greater access to specialist nurses after the Albanese government announced a $166m package of support that represents the biggest of its kind on record.

At least 100 nurses will be recruited through the McGrath Foundation, building on the model established by cricketer Glenn McGrath’s late wife, Jane, who died of breast cancer.

The nurses will support all people with cancer, regardless of tumour type. They will be in addition to the 148 commonwealth-funded melanoma, breast and lung cancer nurses who are already funded, and will work with the established nurses to support all types of cancer patients by 2027. That will mean that by that year there will be 250 commonwealth-funded cancer care nurses nationally.

Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Health Minister Mark Butler will make the announcement on Friday alongside organisations the Cancer Council, Canteen, Camp Quality, Redkite, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Melanoma Institute of Australia, and the Lung Foundation. The program will be known as the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program and will raise the total 2023-23 budget investment into cancer plans to $735.7m.

The ACNNP aims to help deliver improved cancer outcomes across the country, ranging from early detection and cancer prevention, to treatment, survivorship and end-of-life care. It will also help improve equitable access to integrated cancer services for all types of cancer.

“Cancer nurses are invaluable to patients who are confronting some of their toughest days,” Mr Butler said, adding the nurses would transform the experience of cancer therapy and recovery for patients and survivors.

McGrath Breast Care Nurse Joanne Lovelock.

McGrath Breast Care Nurse Giselle Ciavarella.

“More than 164,000 Australians are estimated to be diagnosed with cancer this year and our government is ensuring they have the support in place to get through their diagnosis,” Mr Butler said.

McGrath Foundation chief nurse Kerry Patford said: “We are incredibly proud of the impact our nurses have had … and look forward to working in partnership with the government.”