Dr Michael Holland MP, Member for Bega

Ryan Park MP, Member for Keira and Shadow Minister for Health

Alarming news coming from the Australian Capital Territory this week regarding the threat of discontinued services that many patients in NSW rely upon for lifesaving medical care.

We are concerned that women of southern New South Wales may be adversely affected by potentially compromised gynaecological cancer care in the ACT.

Specialist gynaecological cancer services have been provided to the ACT for over 20 years by the Royal Hospital for Women/Prince of Wales Hospital. This included fortnightly clinics and weekly operating lists.

It provided multidisciplinary care in coordination with local medical and radiation oncology services.

It enabled local treatment for women in the ACT as well as surrounding regions of New South Wales.

The current visiting gynaecological oncologist is due to retire at the end of this year, leaving a potential deficit in women’s cancer care in the ACT.

This will impact the care of women in the neighbouring New South Wales electorates of Bega, Monaro, Goulburn, Wagga, Cootamundra and Albury.

We call on the ACT Minister for Health to develop a succession plan with the appointment of a resident gynaecological oncology specialist in the ACT.

We call on the NSW Minister for Health, the Hon. Brad Hazzard to work with the ACT Ministry for Health to establish a support network of visiting gynaecological cancer specialists to maintain a functional women’s cancer care service in the ACT.

Dr Michael Holland and Mr Ryan Park will advocate with their New South Wales Parliamentary colleagues to support this service.