May 23, 2023
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington has welcomed the announcement South Burnett residents will soon be able to receive chemotherapy at Kingaroy Hospital, but says the State Government has been dragged “kicking and screaming” to the decision.
She said it was a basic service the South Burnett “should have had years ago”.
“This is a huge win for the South Burnett and the many people who will no longer have to travel to Toowoomba for this vital treatment at what often is the worst time of their life,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I’ve fought for better regional and rural health care since being elected in 2012, and in 2018 started a petition calling for a Specialist Cancer Nurse Navigator, which at the time attracted over 1500 signatures.
“On February 21, 2023, I asked a Parliamentary Question on Notice to the Health Minister to highlight the volume of patients who are travelling from within the South Burnett to Toowoomba hospital for treatment.
“The question revealed that in 2022, 1777 South Burnett residents needed life-saving chemotherapy or systemic anti-cancer treatment that could not be accessed in the South Burnett.
“The government’s decision, whilst well overdue, is welcomed and I look forward to the people of the South Burnett benefiting from this service, without the need to travel hours away.
“I sincerely hope that this will bring comfort to those seeking treatment, having the support of their families and community much closer to home.
“Make no mistake, there is still a long way to go in ensuring the health services in regional communities like ours are adequate, and I will keep fighting as your voice in the State Parliament.”
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