A RECENT meeting between Guildford-based MLC Anthony Spagnolo, Kalamunda MLA Adam Hort and cancer survivor Thomas Fairley has renewed calls for publicly funded radiation oncology services in Midland.

Mr Fairley’s experience travelling across Perth for treatment has highlighted the inequity faced by cancer patients across Perth’s eastern suburbs, the Perth Hills and the Wheatbelt.

Following a throat cancer diagnosis, Mr Fairley underwent seven weeks of radiation therapy at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, requiring daily travel across the city while managing the physical and emotional effects of cancer treatment.

Mr Fairley said having radiation oncology services in Perth’s east would have made an enormous difference during his treatment.

“Having radiation oncology services in Perth’s east would have meant I didn’t have to travel to Nedlands every day for seven weeks while undergoing treatment,” he said.

Mr Spagnolo said Mr Fairley’s story highlighted why change was urgently needed.

“People battling cancer should not have to spend weeks travelling across Perth for essential treatment while already coping with the effects of their illness,” he said.

“Patients south of Perth can access publicly supported treatment close to home, yet people in Midland and the surrounding region are expected to travel across the city. That postcode lottery is simply unfair.”

A Legislative Council petition calling for publicly funded radiation oncology services in Midland has attracted 2466 signatures, demonstrating the strong community support for fairer access to cancer treatment closer to home.

Mr Spagnolo said he had been working closely with his parliamentary colleagues Adam Hort and Central Wheatbelt MLA Lachlan Hunter, who share his commitment to improving access to radiation oncology services for patients in Perth’s east and surrounding regional communities.

“I’m pleased Liberal and National MPs have come together to advocate for better cancer services in Midland, but it is disappointing that local Labor members have failed to join this campaign.”

Liberal Senator Slade Brockman also weighed in and said federal Labor’s silence on this issue meant they also had questions to answer.

“Member for Hasluck, Tania Lawrence needs to explain why she has been silent on this campaign led by Liberal and National members to improve access to cancer treatment in her electorate,” she said.

“Private radiation oncology providers in other parts of Perth receive government support to treat public patients, but that support is not available to residents in Hasluck, and I would have thought the local MP Tania Lawrence would have been proactive in supporting the campaign to address this issue.”

Senator Brockman reiterated the need for this service to be available locally.

“The infrastructure already exists in Midland. Patients have spoken, clinicians have spoken. It is time for state and federal Labor MPs to step up,” she said.

Hasluck MP Tania Lawrence said for years she and Bullwinkel MP Trish Cook had worked behind the scenes alongside local residents, clinicians and healthcare providers to advocate for better health services in Midland and the eastern suburbs.

“Our community deserves the same access to quality healthcare as other parts of Perth,” she said.

“While there is strong support for access to local, publicly funded radiation cancer care, any solution must comply with Section 19(2) of the Health Insurance Act 1973, which places limits on arrangements of services that receive both Medicare and state funding.

“My focus remains on expanding access to local healthcare, including Medicare-funded services like the Midland Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, while working constructively with all levels of government to deliver better health outcomes for our community,” she said.

Member for Kalamunda Adam Hort also weighed in.

“Thomas Fairley’s story is like so many others around the eastern suburbs, we need these services in Midland.”

Midland MLA Steve Catania said he knew everyone in the community understands the impact of a cancer diagnosis, be it their own or a loved one’s.

“That’s why the Cook Labor government is committed to ensuring that we all receive the care we need, when we need it.

“In Perth’s east there is access to a range of different state-funded cancer care including chemotherapy, some immunotherapy, and other support services at St John of God Midland.

“I’d love to see everyone in the Midland community able to access even more care closer to home and will always be a strong advocate for our community.

“I’m working closely with my state parliamentary colleagues to explore how we can further improve cancer care in the community.”