Canberrans call for better paediatric cancer care closer to home.

The Canberra Liberals will move a motion calling on the ACT Labor Government to scope an enhanced paediatric oncology and haematology service at Canberra Hospital, so more children can be treated closer to home.

Canberra Liberals Leader and Shadow Health Minister, Mark Parton said Canberra families facing childhood cancer deserve better access to care closer to home, with the Canberra Liberals calling on the Government to properly investigate expanding paediatric oncology services at Canberra Hospital.

“When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the last thing a family should have to manage is repeated trips to Sydney,” Mr Parton said.

“An Assembly petition with over 2,300 signatures shows the community wants more of this care delivered safely in Canberra, with Sydney still there for the most specialised treatment.”

Monash mother Robyn Wakefield whose child has received treatment interstate said the strain goes far beyond the hospital.

“Our family has made countless trips to Sydney for treatment, and I know firsthand how much that journey adds to an already overwhelming experience,” Ms Wakefield said.

“This isn’t about replacing the specialist care available in Sydney. It’s about bringing whatever care can safely be provided closer to home, because Canberra families deserve that option.”

Canberra Liberals Member for Kurrajong, Elizabeth Lee said the motion is a practical first step.

“This is about a scoping exercise to examine current patient activity and treatment pathways, workforce and infrastructure requirements to determine how Canberra and Sydney can work together,” Ms Lee said.

“No child battling cancer should spend any more time away from their family than is absolutely necessary, and this motion calls on this government to look at how we can do better.”

The Motion calls on the ACT Labor Government to:

• Work with Federal and NSW counterparts, and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network to expand care that can safely be delivered in the ACT, closer to home for these families

• To improve Interstate Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (IPTAS) by cutting unnecessary admin for families on repeated interstate treatment and making it easier to get help with upfront travel and accommodation costs.

The Motion will be debated in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, 24 September.