Funding of $500,000 from the Gillard Government will help deliver new cancer patient accommodation in Ballarat following an agreement with the Victorian Government to enhance existing cancer services and centres across regional parts of the state.
Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, today said people requiring treatment at the newly completed Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre, and their families, will be able to stay in affordable accommodation built to support them during a time of challenge,
“Some patients need to travel long distances to receive their treatment, and the new accommodation in Ballarat will help take the stress out of having to find cheap, quality accommodation close to the cancer centre and hospital precinct. This will be one less thing they will have to worry about,” Ms King said.
The Victorian Government is currently assessing options for the location of the new cancer patient accommodation – which is scheduled for completion next year.
Ms King said a new $9.5 million agreement with the Victorian Government will deliver important enhancements to regional Victoria’s cancer treatment centres and help to improve survival rates.
“The Australian Government’s efforts to improve regional Victoria’s cancer services are already well underway, ” Ms King said.
“It includes $42 million for our Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre, $65 million for the Albury-Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre, $22 million for the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre and $26 million for the Integrated Cancer Centre at Geelong.
“Tragically, cancer patients from rural and regional areas are up to three times more likely to pass away within five years of a cancer diagnosis than people living in the city.
“The Australian Government is committed to fighting cancer and closing the gap in cancer outcomes between city and country. All Australians with cancer should have access to the right care, close to their homes and loved ones, irrespective of where they live or their social circumstances,” Ms King said.
This new agreement complements the new care package—World Leading Cancer Care—announced in the 2013-14 Budget which will invest more than $226 million to detect, prevent and deliver cancer care and support services.
Since 2007, the Government has committed $3.5 billion for cancer detection and treatment, including a record $2 billion in the 2009-10 Budget to build a world-class cancer care system for Australia.