❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the provision of linear accelerators (LINACs) for cancer treatment in regional Western Australia, specifically the northwest and southwest regions. The question probes the status of feasibility studies, funding commitments, and alternative treatment options.
AnsweredQoN 3054Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I note the Government’s election commitment for a needs and feasibility analysis for a linear accelerator (LINAC) to be completed and considered in time for the Government’s first budget back in 2009–2010 and, given we are now approaching the eve of the second budget, I ask:
(a) have both of these needs and feasibility analysis studies been completed for both the northwest and southwest;
(b) can the Minister confirm a LINAC machine will be part of the recently commenced southwest cancer and radiotherapy centre to be built in Bunbury and completed in 2011; and
(i) if so, what is the actual cost of the Bunbury LINAC;
(c) given that the needs of cancer patients in the south are being met, what is the outcome of the needs and feasibility study for the northwest; and
(d) will the Minister provide funding for a LINAC for cancer patients in the northwest in this upcoming budget; and
(i) if so, how much;
(ii) if not, why not; and
(iii) if so, where will the LINAC in the northwest be located – Nickol Bay, Carnarvon, Tom Price, Newman, Port Hedland or Broome – and when will it be operational?
(a) have both of these needs and feasibility analysis studies been completed for both the northwest and southwest;
(b) can the Minister confirm a LINAC machine will be part of the recently commenced southwest cancer and radiotherapy centre to be built in Bunbury and completed in 2011; and
(i) if so, what is the actual cost of the Bunbury LINAC;
(c) given that the needs of cancer patients in the south are being met, what is the outcome of the needs and feasibility study for the northwest; and
(d) will the Minister provide funding for a LINAC for cancer patients in the northwest in this upcoming budget; and
(i) if so, how much;
(ii) if not, why not; and
(iii) if so, where will the LINAC in the northwest be located – Nickol Bay, Carnarvon, Tom Price, Newman, Port Hedland or Broome – and when will it be operational?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
26 days
(a) Yes.
(b) Yes.
(i) It is expected that a linear accelerator (LINAC machine) for Bunbury will be ordered in the near future. The price of this type of equipment fluctuates with daily exchange rate changes in the Australian dollar against the American dollar. LINAC machines purchased over the past five years have cost between $2.4 - $3.4 million Australian dollars.
(c) The needs analysis of the North-West demonstrated that a LINAC service, based in a North-West location, was not feasible.
(d) No. The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is exploring opportunities for Kimberley cancer patients to receive chemotherapy treatment at the recently opened Darwin Cancer Unit.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) The needs analysis for a LINAC machine determined that the combined cancer patient population, requiring this treatment modality, for the whole of the Kimberley, Pilbara and Midwest would support 0.55 of one machine. This equates to four hours of usage a day. LINAC machines are very complex and can have periods of 'breakdown' time. The treatment regimes to kill the cancer cells cannot be interrupted and therefore the facility needs to be aligned to another facility that can take on the workload during any 'down time' of the machine.
The specialised workforce required to provide these treatments is a scarce resource nationally. Academic and research opportunities, peer support for multidisciplinary care are essential in recruiting and retaining the health professionals. This makes recruitment to regional facilities challenging.
On the basis of these issues, the needs analysis does not support the installation of a LINAC facility in the northwest of WA.
(iii) Not applicable.
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(b) Yes.
(i) It is expected that a linear accelerator (LINAC machine) for Bunbury will be ordered in the near future. The price of this type of equipment fluctuates with daily exchange rate changes in the Australian dollar against the American dollar. LINAC machines purchased over the past five years have cost between $2.4 - $3.4 million Australian dollars.
(c) The needs analysis of the North-West demonstrated that a LINAC service, based in a North-West location, was not feasible.
(d) No. The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is exploring opportunities for Kimberley cancer patients to receive chemotherapy treatment at the recently opened Darwin Cancer Unit.
(i) Not applicable.
(ii) The needs analysis for a LINAC machine determined that the combined cancer patient population, requiring this treatment modality, for the whole of the Kimberley, Pilbara and Midwest would support 0.55 of one machine. This equates to four hours of usage a day. LINAC machines are very complex and can have periods of 'breakdown' time. The treatment regimes to kill the cancer cells cannot be interrupted and therefore the facility needs to be aligned to another facility that can take on the workload during any 'down time' of the machine.
The specialised workforce required to provide these treatments is a scarce resource nationally. Academic and research opportunities, peer support for multidisciplinary care are essential in recruiting and retaining the health professionals. This makes recruitment to regional facilities challenging.
On the basis of these issues, the needs analysis does not support the installation of a LINAC facility in the northwest of WA.
(iii) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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