TROY BELL MP
Member for Mount Gambier
Your Independent voice
in State Parliament
Cancer care study probe
Tuesday August 15, 2023South Australian Government halts proposed Mount Gambier facility tender process until completion of radiation therapy service investigation The State Government has announced that proposed Cancer Care Centre upgrades for Mount Gambier and the surrounding region will not be tendered until a feasibility study for radiation therapy services in the region is complete.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Chris Picton said last week that while the study was under way, the government and Local Health Network would not sign any contracts to start construction on the Cancer Care Centre upgrades, however design works will continue on the cancer upgrades.
Minister Picton said the feasibility study for radiation therapy services in Mount Gambier was set to go to tender in coming weeks.
The study will be undertaken by an independent consultant and will engage with a wide range of health and community stakeholders, including the Radiation Treatment Limestone Coast Working Party as well as experts in radiation oncology.
The procurement panel will include community representatives to make sure their views are reflected.
"Working with the local Limestone Coast Local Health Network Board, it makes sense to not complete the tendering process for the Mount Gambier Cancer Care Centre until the feasibility study is complete," Minister Picton said.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell was pleased with the government's decision.
"I welcome the announcement the Cancer Care Centre is now on hold allowing for consultation to take place to ensure the best service for the treatment of cancer in the Limestone Coast can be delivered," he said.
"The Radiation Treatment Limestone Coast Working Party is to be commended for its hard work to date in advocating for radiation treatment to be established in Mount Gambier."