The region's health district has said they will consider filing an application to bring a radiation therapy unit to the city after they review the requirements for the provision of the service.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A radiation therapy unit for Griffith was announced by federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley in April 2019 as part of a proposed $63 million boost to radiation therapy access across the nation.
Ms Ley said applications for the provisions of the service opened this month, with an provider planned to be confirmed by the beginning of 2021.
MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford told The Area News they will consider filing an application after a review of the requirements for funding.
"A $63.4 million commitment to expanding radiation therapy cancer treatment capacity in rural and regional Australia was made by the Commonwealth government in April 2019," Ms Ludford said.
"At that time, Western NSW/Griffith was identified as one of 13 locations across rural and regional Australia which would benefit from the establishment of a radiation therapy treatment centre," Ms Ludford said.
"The Commonwealth government is expected to announce shortly that the grant opportunities are open to the market.
"When this is announced, Murrumbidgee Local Health District will review the requirements and consider lodging an application."
READ MORE:
With Griffith Base Hospital in the process of a $250 million redevelopment, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District has been put forward by state Member for Murray Helen Dalton as the ideal service provider for the unit, labeling the unit "an absolute gift" which should be folded into the redevelopment.
A proposed unit in Griffith has also been backed by those who support cancer sufferers in the region, with Can Assist president Olga Forner stating a unit in Griffith would help cut down travel time for sufferers and provide them a way to remain close to their families during a difficult time.