17 May 2007

$1.8 million boost to innovation cancer care services

Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer) Verity Firth today announced $1.8 million in grants for organisations which deliver innovative cancer services.

Announcing details of the Health Services Innovation Grant Program on a visit to Cooma Hospital - a grant recipient - Ms Firth said the funding would enable cancer patients to access vital and innovative services, such as medical oncology, psycho-oncology and palliative care, closer to home.

"The funding will support innovative projects such as effective networks for palliative care in Greater Western Area Health Service; a physician's assistant and treatment coordinator at Royal North Shore Hospital to improve specialised care; and improved ambulatory care at Campbelltown Hospital," said Ms Firth.

"Innovation in cancer care is all about improving the lives of cancer patients by finding new ways to provide better, more effective service irrespective of where they live.

"The grants announced today demonstrate that the Iemma Labor Government is constantly trying to improve cancer care within all of the communities of NSW."

Over the next decade, there will be about 380,000 new cases of cancer in NSW.

Grant submissions were received by the Cancer Institute NSW, the State's central cancer control agency, and reviewed by an independent Clinical Grants Review Committee.

Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Jim Bishop, said the program was designed to identify and harness the innovation that exists amongst the State's highly skilled cancer organisations.

"It's about giving cancer professionals the ability to treat patients with more effective, timely and sustainable services that will help them through their cancer treatment and recovery," said Professor Bishop.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au