REGIONAL MEN MUST NOT LOSE SPECIALIST CANCER CARE UNDER LABOR’S FUNDING SHAKE-UP
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, has written to the Federal Health Minister seeking assurances that men living in regional, rural and remote Australia will not lose access to specialist prostate cancer care following the Albanese Government’s decision to withdraw funding from an established national nursing service.
The Government will end Commonwealth funding for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s (PCFA) specialist nursing program in June 2027, redirecting $46.5 million over five years to the McGrath Foundation for 60.5 full-time-equivalent prostate cancer nursing positions.
PCFA says the decision affects 96 Commonwealth-funded nurses in its national network of 131 specialist practitioners.
Senator McDonald said the decision was particularly concerning for regional Australia, where men already faced significant barriers to timely diagnosis, treatment and ongoing cancer care.
“The McGrath Foundation does fantastic work, and so does the PCFA, so my question to the Minister is why can’t both services receive federal funding?” she said.
“According to PCFA, men in regional and remote Australia have a 24 per cent higher risk of dying from prostate cancer than men in metropolitan areas,” Senator McDonald said.
“That’s precisely why we need to strengthen specialist healthcare in these areas, not defund services that are already working.
“For a man living hundreds of kilometres from a major hospital, specialist prostate cancer nurses help patients navigate treatment, manage side effects and access continuing care. They understand the particular challenges of living in communities where specialist medical appointments can mean hours on the road or expensive trips away from home.”
PCFA’s nursing program has operated since 2012 and provides approximately 150,000 consultations annually. Around half of Commonwealth-funded cases have involved patients living more than 100 kilometres from a major city.
PCFA has also released consultation findings showing 96 per cent of participating affected nurses opposed the Government’s decision, with many expressing concerns about the potential loss of prostate-specific expertise and continuity of care.
Senator McDonald said she supported the work of the McGrath Foundation but questioned why its expansion required the withdrawal of funding from PCFA.
“The Health Minister acknowledged that PCFA has delivered a successful, high-quality specialist nursing service,” she said.
“PCFA says its existing service could be retained within the funding already allocated. If that’s correct, it is puzzling why both organisations can’t continue delivering care.
“Furthermore, the change has been announced before the Government’s own evaluation of cancer nursing programs has even been completed.”
Senator McDonald joined Shadow Minister for Regional Health Dr Anne Webster in calling for the Government to release the evidence supporting its decision and explain how regional patients would benefit.
“Regional and remote Australians already struggle to access the healthcare services people in capital cities take for granted,” she said.
“Minister Butler must guarantee that no regional community will be left with less access to specialist prostate cancer nursing care because of this decision.”
ENDS