The Hon. Greg Hunt MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
Bridget Archer MP
Federal Member for Bass
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
5 May 2022
Boosting cancer care in northern Tasmania
Patients in northern Tasmania will benefit from a new cancer support pilot program at the W.P. Holman Clinic at the Launceston General Hospital, thanks to the Morrison Government.
The Government is investing more than $580,000 in cancer survivorship support which is not currently available in north and north west Tasmania.
The Program will provide a consumer driven survivorship program underpinned by best practice, person centric cancer treatment and supportive care.
The long-term impacts of a Cancer diagnosis, even once a patient has been a ‘survivor’ is an often overlooked aspect of cancer care. Survivorship can include longer term follow up and surveillance, management of late effects, rehabilitation, capacity and resilience building and health promotion.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said the funding, over three years, will support a pilot survivorship care service which will focus on the health and wellbeing of a person living with, and beyond, cancer.
“The pilot will engage a full-time Clinical Nurse Consultant to provide specialist clinical advice for patients, their families and health professionals,” Minister Hunt said.
“The nurse consultant will coordinate and run support programs in conjunction with non-government organisations and community partners to link patients with local resources.”
“Follow-up services and clinics for cancer survivors have been shown to improve continuity of care, provide better access to a range of services and targeted information, boost emotional health and positively influence long term health outcomes and quality of life among cancer survivors.”
Federal Member for Bass, Bridget Archer MP, said the pilot program will help cancer patients in her electorate and across northern Tasmania to better manage their symptoms and access the psychological care and ongoing support they need to live well.
“The W.P. Holman Clinic provides comprehensive specialist inpatient and outpatient medical oncology, radiation oncology and clinical haematology services to our community,” Ms Archer said.
“The clinic also plays an active role in cancer education and research within Tasmania and provides direct access to a range of medical, surgical and hospital services required to deliver quality, person centred cancer care.”
“The Morrison Government is investing in a stronger health system as part of our plan for a stronger future through a record $132 billion in 2022–23, increasing to $140 billion in 2025–26, with a total commitment of $537 billion over the next four years.”
“This record funding will ensure Australians have access to improved healthcare, when and where they need it.”
–ENDS-