❓ The Minister for Health addresses the unacceptable waiting list for cancer patients needing radiation therapy, outlining initiatives including funding for new equipment, a statewide cancer plan, and a local graduate course for radiation therapists.
AnsweredQoN 1334Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Will the minister advise the House of steps being taken to address the unacceptable waiting list of patients with cancer who require radiation therapy? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
This is an example of the point I was making to members opposite. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Nedlands and Darling Range. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: This is an example of the point I was making to members opposite. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Nedlands and Darling Range. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
This is an example of the point I was making to members opposite. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Nedlands and Darling Range. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Nedlands and Darling Range. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Nedlands and Darling Range. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: This is an example of the point I was making to members opposite. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Nedlands and Darling Range. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
This is an example of the point I was making to members opposite. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Nedlands and Darling Range. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Nedlands and Darling Range. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the members for Nedlands and Darling Range. Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: Members should not be too critical of cooperation between the State and the Commonwealth. When we obtain the cooperation of pugilists like Tony Abbot, we should be congratulated. Members opposite should not whinge about it; they should give us a pat on the back for doing the right thing. The beneficiaries of this cooperative approach to the delivery of services and the use of money that we have freed up by cutting out less important services, worthy though they are, will be cancer patients who can look forward to a brighter future as a result of our initiatives. As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
As a result of the Reid review a discussion paper was released entitled “Options for Clinical Service”. Included in that was some very good work done by Professor Jim Bishop on cancer care. As members of this House know, one of the great problems with health care in this State is that when people who have the misfortune of contracting cancer need radiation therapy, they must wait for up to six months before they can commence treatment at the radiation therapy clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. I find that appalling and totally unacceptable. I want to divert money from lower health priority areas to make sure those needs are met. Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Professors Bishop and Reid made a number of recommendations. Two weeks ago, the Premier announced a very important initiative for cancer patients in Western Australia. He said, firstly, that the Government accepted the Reid and Bishop recommendations and would immediately move to appoint a statewide director of cancer services. A position will be advertised in the very near future. Secondly, that person will be given responsibility for drawing up a comprehensive, statewide Western Australian cancer plan during the next 12 months. In addition, in cooperation with the Commonwealth Government, this Government has allocated $14 million for the purchase of two new linear accelerators at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Tenders for the construction of the building and bunkers will be called next month. It is a most important announcement for cancer sufferers in this State. This is the beginning of the creation of a long overdue centre of excellence for cancer treatment. However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
However, it is insufficient to do only that. Although in the past we have been denied the appropriate number of linear accelerators to provide radiation therapy treatment, this has been compounded by a shortage of therapists. We need 35 more therapists by mid 2005 to operate the new machines and to take pressure off the existing facilities. This morning, when I addressed an oncologists scientific conference in Perth, I announced that the Government was confident that while continuing negotiations with the federal Government we would be able to jointly proceed, for the first time ever, with a local graduate course in radiation therapy in Western Australia, through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Dr G.I. Gallop: Hear, hear! Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
Mr J.A. McGINTY: We are proposing an initial intake of seven students for the local graduate course. That will be in addition to the six students who are undertaking distance education through Monash University and four students who are studying in South Australia under scholarships from the Department of Health. Coupled with the capital investment we have made in the new cancer centre for excellence at the hospital, this initiative to train radiation therapists locally will give us the capacity to meet a very real need. I say to those members opposite who choose to criticise the Government for taking moneys from low areas of priority and putting them into high areas of priority that this is a classic example of what government is responsible for and the way in which government will deliver an excellent health care system by any standards anywhere in the world.
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