Residents with cancer in the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Services (CQHHS) catchment area continue to be forced to travel to Mackay or Bundaberg to undertake crucial PETCT scans as part of their cancer treatment, despite a PETCT scanner being ready for installation in Rockhampton Hospital.
CQ Radiology PET CT machine is ready for installation at GenesisCare’s facility in Rockhampton Hospital, which would enable patients in the CQHHS catchment to access this vital service without having to travel great distances.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry said Queensland Health continues to fail regional Queenslanders by sitting on their hands on an issue that can change health outcomes for those in Central Queensland.
“For the past 18 months, CQ Radiology has had the chance to install a vital health infrastructure component for local cancer patients. This not only strains other hospitals providing imaging services and increases the financial burden of patient travel to another city but, more importantly, raises concerns about the physical and emotional toll imposed on individuals battling cancer who must travel for these scans.
“Cancer Council Queensland reports over 1400 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Central Queensland. This significant number underscores the necessity for numerous people to travel for scans, monitoring the progress of their cancer treatment.
“Residents of Central Queensland deserve better than being forced to travel for a simple scan. We even have the Assistant Minister for Health residing in the region and she has remained silent on advocating for Queensland Health to give the tick of approval on this vital PETCT machine. Time and time again, our region is left behind by Labor and we are forced to drag them kicking and screaming to provide essential services for our community,” Ms Landry said.
