❓ Mr Leary raises concerns about Albany cancer patients needing to travel to Perth for immunotherapy due to logistical and capacity limitations. The Minister acknowledges the issue and states WA Country Health Service is reviewing requirements for new therapies.
AnsweredQoN 297Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to cancer patients in Albany who require regular immunotherapy treatment, and I ask : (a) Is the Minister aware that some regional cancer patients cannot safely receive immunotherapy treatment in Albany due to air transport limitations affecting the delivery of time-sensitive medications; (b) What is the estimated annual cost to the PATS program of supporting these repeated trips from Albany to Perth for immunotherapy patients who could otherwise be treated locally if reliable delivery or on-site preparation was possible; and (c) Will the Minister investigate options to either improve delivery logistics for short-life immunotherapy drugs or expand Albany Health Campus's capacity to store or prepare these medications locally, so that more patients can access care closer to home?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 September 2025
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
9 days
a) While most cancer therapy is now available in Albany, some specific advanced cancer therapies are currently only administered in large cancer centres in Perth. The reasons for this are not solely related to air transport limitations.
b) The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme is unable to provide this information as it does not collect information regarding diagnosis or treatment.
c) WA Country Health Service is actively reviewing requirements for newly developed therapies, aiming to bring care closer to home for regional communities. The delivery of many of the advanced new therapies have requirements for stability and safety that need to be considered before being available outside of large metropolitan cancer centres. These are unique challenges that extend beyond transport logistics that may result in specific immunotherapy drugs only being available in the metropolitan area.
b) The Patient Assisted Travel Scheme is unable to provide this information as it does not collect information regarding diagnosis or treatment.
c) WA Country Health Service is actively reviewing requirements for newly developed therapies, aiming to bring care closer to home for regional communities. The delivery of many of the advanced new therapies have requirements for stability and safety that need to be considered before being available outside of large metropolitan cancer centres. These are unique challenges that extend beyond transport logistics that may result in specific immunotherapy drugs only being available in the metropolitan area.
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