Public and private service providers are invited to apply for grants totalling $45.5 million, to develop regional radiation treatment centres for local cancer patients in ten regions across four states.
The Australian Government is providing the funding to improve access to radiation therapy for thousands of cancer patients in rural and regional areas, including Western NSW in the Griffith area.
Local MP Sussan Ley says where we can deliver high quality specialist health services into rural areas is absolutely vital, easing some of the pressure on patients and families having to travel large distances to receive the care they need.
“This brings local radiation therapy services for public and private patients within reach, and to many smaller communities in the Riverina MIA. I am delighted we can finally deliver on this election commitment and that the tender process is now underway.”
Public and private service providers are encouraged to form consortia to apply for the funding, as this will maximise their ability to provide the new or expanded cancer treatment centres.
New and innovative approaches to delivering radiation therapy services in regional Australia are encouraged.
The locations of the new radiation cancer treatment centres were announced in 2019:
– South Coast (Bega /Eurobodalla), NSW
– Grafton and Clarence Valley, NSW
– Far North Coast, NSW
– Mid North Coast (Nambucca, Kempsey), NSW.
– Taree, NSW
– Armidale, NSW
– Western NSW (Griffith)
– Gladstone, Qld
– East Gippsland, Vic
– Mt Gambier and Limestone Coast, SA
Funding for this initiative comes from the Australian Government’s Health Infrastructure Program, an important part of our long-term health reform agenda.
The program is building, upgrading and expanding vital health infrastructure to ensure Australia’s health system is equipped to meet current and future health needs.
The open competitive grants process for the $45.5 million, which will be provided over five years from 2020-21, will open today at 4pm (Thursday 13 August 2020) for eight weeks and close on Wednesday 7 October 2020.
Full details can be found on the GrantConnect website.