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Monday November 21, 2011


Survival hopes for regional cancer patients have been raised today, following the announcement by Campbell Newman that an LNP Government would increase subsidies for regional patients who travel to the city for treatment.

Cancer Council Queensland CEO, Professor Jeff Dunn, welcomed Campbell Newman's policy commitment and called on Premier Anna Bligh to match it.

"Campbell Newman has declared that we 'can do' something to improve cancer survival," Prof Dunn said.

"Under the current Government regional Queenslanders are struggling to survive cancer.

"One of the major barriers to survival is the cost of travelling to the city for cancer treatment, with successive Queensland Governments refusing to increase financial support for patients.

"The policy announced by Campbell Newman today will save lives by providing regional Queenslanders with better access to vital health services.

"If this policy comes into effect, regional people will no longer have to agonise over whether they can afford to undergo cancer treatment," he said.

"This policy shows that Campbell Newman and the LNP are serious about sustaining and revitalising the health of our regions, starting with the health of regional people, who deserve the same opportunities that city people get.

"I commend Campbell Newman for providing a helping hand to regional patients and congratulate the LNP for recognising that regional health is critical to Queensland's future success.

"We once again call on Premier Anna Bligh to increase the subsidy for regional patients.

"For over a decade the Queensland Government has been ignoring the hardship faced by regional patients.

"We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the lives lost and the grief caused," he said.

"I urge all Queenslanders to support this important policy."

Cancer Council research estimates nine per cent of regional cancer deaths are preventable, with about 120 regional cancer deaths each year that would otherwise be avoidable if survival rates in the bush were equal to those in the city.

"Evidence shows that cost is a major barrier preventing regional people from accessing life-saving health services," Prof Dunn said.

"For regional patients who have to undergo months of treatment in the city, the financial costs can be devastating, compounding the physical and emotional strain of a cancer diagnosis and severely impacting on quality of life and recovery from treatment."

Despite more than a decade of fierce lobbying by the Cancer Council for increased subsidies, Prof Dunn said patients only receive a paltry $30 per night from the Queensland Government to cover the cost of accommodation, a figure that has not increased in 25 years.

And although the cost of fuel has soared from 45 cents to over $1.45 since the scheme was created, the mileage subsidy is a low 15 cents per kilometre, with many patients too exhausted to fill out the numerous forms that then require Queensland Health approval.

"The current Government should be ashamed of its failure to act on this issue," Prof Dunn said.

"Regional Queenslanders are forced to make life or death decisions because the Government will not support them to get to treatment.

"Premier Anna Bligh cannot on the one hand encourage Queenslanders to live and work in the bush and then on the other hand deny people access to core health services.

"We need a Queensland Government committed to giving all Queenslanders a fighting chance to survive cancer.

"Campbell Newman and the LNP have declared they're in the fight.

"We hope the Premier will find the political will to match their commitment," he said.

Read the full policy proposal here.

ENDS.

For more information, please contact:
Anne Savage, Chief Communications Officer, Cancer Council Queensland
P: 3634 5241 or M: 0417 709 869