CANCER patients in Perth’s eastern and northern suburbs are being ignored by the state government, according to Opposition health spokeswoman Libby Mettam.

Earlier this month in parliament Ms Mettam asked the state government why they would not commit to providing oncology radiation services free of charge in Midland and Joondalup.

“The Cook Labor government’s steadfast refusal to extend the arrangement to clinics in Midland and Joondalup is leaving cancer patients in the eastern and northern suburbs to travel hours for their daily treatment or pay their own way for private treatment closer to home,” she said.

“All Western Australians, no matter where they live, and regardless of their financial circumstances, deserve quality health care.”

Ms Mettam raised the cases of several patients who faced extraordinary daily commutes to access life-saving radiation treatment as a public patient, including one from Gidgegannup.

“When Derek Baxter was diagnosed with a brain tumour this year, he was referred to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) for surgery,” she said.

“Derek has nothing but praise for the doctors and nurses who cared for him and decided to continue his follow-up treatment, which required him to go for radiation five days a week for a minimum of seven weeks, through the public health system.

“However, to access that treatment as a public patient, Derek needs to travel from Gidgegannup, where he lives, to SCGH and return five days a week.

“Because Derek cannot drive while having his treatment, it also means Derek’s wife Kate has to accompany him on a two-hour return drive between Gidgegannup and SCGH five days a week.”

Ms Mettam said capacity constraints were also pushing out waitlists for treatment at both SCGH and Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH).

“Clinicians are reporting growing wait times at SCGH and FSH for oncology radiation treatment, with many patients not beginning their treatment within the medically recommended time,” she said.

“The Cook government needs to stop making excuses, stop blaming the federal government, stop blaming Covid and start efficiently managing our health services, so all Western Australians can get the treatment they need in the time recommended.”