The Rudd Government will invest $8.3 million to enhance cancer care infrastructure at Bundaberg Hospital, as part of the Central Integrated Regional Cancer Service.
With some cancers, patients from rural areas are up to three times more likely to die within five years of diagnosis than their counterparts. The $8.3 million investment in Bundaberg will work towards improving the services and care for the more than 18,400 Queensland residents diagnosed with cancer each year.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made the announcement at Bundaberg Hospital, and said it will allow for an additional 14 chemotherapy chairs.
This service will help give Queenslanders with cancer, the care they need as close to home and family as possible.
Cancer services provided at Bundaberg will work together with the Rockhampton Hospital, where the Prime Minister yesterday announced a $67 million investment in additional radiotherapy bunkers and 16 chemotherapy chairs.
While Australia has better overall cancer survival rates than comparable countries, there is still unacceptable variation for some people, depending on the type of cancer, a person's socioeconomic status or where they live.
It is of great concern that for the 30 per cent of Australians living in rural and remote areas, outcomes are worse than for people living in the city.
The Central Integrated Regional Cancer Service forms part of the Rudd Government's $560 million investment in regional cancer centres across Australia. Since coming into office, the Government has committed over $2.3 billion in cancer infrastructure, medicines, screening and research.
Today's announcement also shows the benefit of the Federal Government stepping up to the plate and providing funding for health services across Australia.
Under the National Health and Hospitals Network, the Rudd Government would provide 60 per cent of the funding for capital upgrades for public hospitals.
The Rudd Government's plan will see health services funded nationally and run locally through local hospital networks to deliver better outcomes for local communities.