A poorly planned radiation machine upgrade by the Mid North Coast Local Health District has seen regional cancer patients forced to endure more stress, inconvenience, and financial expense in order to receive their treatment.
Our Port Macquarie office was frustrated and disappointed to read about cancer patients on the Mid-North Coast who have been forced to live in Sydney hostels while receiving timely cancer treatment.
In a poorly executed move, the Mid North Coast Local Health District will take six weeks to replace one of two radiation machines at the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute in Port Macquarie.
A treating specialist of one patient – Professor Carsten Palme of Chris O’Brien Lifehouse –was only notified of the replacement three weeks before the major works commenced. The Professor stated “..it’s a problem that could have been prevented”, and suggested that a more collaborative approach was warranted to avoid significant disadvantages to outcomes for regional patients.
While patients can be referred to Coffs Harbour and extended treatment times are available in Port Macquarie, waiting lists are already full, meaning that Sydney, for some, is the only choice to avoid delay.
The emotional toll and discomfort of cancer treatment are difficult enough without the familiarity of home and the support of family and friends. Financial assistance is available for travel through a state government scheme, however, there are additional costs to a patient that cannot be recovered. The reality for many regional patients as well is that they find visits to Sydney at best, inconvenient and at worst, stressful.
In our opinion, it’s just not good enough.
