A new $150 million Cancer Action Plan which aims to fast-track life-saving cancer treatment headlines the Brumby Labor Government’s $233.3 million State Budget package to tackle chronic disease, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said today.
Mr Andrews said the Brumby Labor Government’s new $150 million Cancer Action Plan aimed to increase cancer survival rates for Victorians by a further 10 per cent by 2015.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action on cancer and chronic disease, with our new Cancer Action Plan aiming by 2015 to save 2000 Victorian lives that would have otherwise been lost,” Mr Andrews said.
“Our Government is investing in innovative prevention, treatment and research, including $24million to reduce major risk factors and avoidable cancer deaths by investing in effective screening and early diagnosis.
Under the plan, the Brumby Labor Government will also provide $78.8 million for the Victorian Cancer Agency to link various cancer research projects in Victoria and to fast-track how that research can be turned around to deliver new life-saving treatment.
“On top of the $150 million Cancer Action Plan, our Government is also delivering $25 million to the development of the Olivia Newton John Cancer Centre to bring together all facets of cancer care, research and training at the Austin Hospital,” he said.
“In addition to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and specialist outpatient services, the Centre will house the southern hemisphere’s first cancer Wellness Centre to cater for the psychological, spiritual and emotional needs of patients with cancer.”
Mr Andrews said the Brumby Labor Government would also increase rates of cancer screening.
“Effective screening is important to detect cancers early and we will be increasing cancer screening participation rates in communities with lower-than-average participation,” he said.
“Access to genetic screening, especially for those living in rural and regional areas, will also be expanded.”
Mr Andrews said the Brumby Labor Government was continuing its efforts to improve oral health, by introducing water fluoridation to the remaining major non-fluoridated regional centres across Victoria.
“The State Budget provides funding of $11.4 million to improve dental health in rural and regional Victoria and reduce avoidable dental treatment, especially in children,” he said.
“Currently around 77 per cent of Victorians have access to a fluoridated drinking water supply. This additional funding will allow the Brumby Labor Government to meets its commitment of 90 per cent of Victoria’s population receiving fluoridated water by 2011.”
In the last two years, as part of the Government’s commitment to improving the oral health of all Victorians, the communities of Robinvale, Moe, Morwell, Sale, Warragul, Traralgon, Horsham, Wodonga and Wangaratta have had fluoride introduced to their drinking water supplies.
More recently, the decision has been made to commence water fluoridation in the regional centres of Yarrawonga, Warrnambool, Hamilton, Ballarat and Geelong.
In addition to fluoridation, 18 new dental chairs are being established in Wodonga and Mildura to treat more Victorians. A 10 chair clinic will be established in Wodonga and an eight-chair clinic in Mildura.
“An $8.1 million investment will also provide an opportunity to train dentists graduating from the Latrobe University Bendigo campus,” Mr Andrews said.
The Brumby Labor Government is allocating $16.6 million over four years towards reducing the rates of HIV transmission and the prevention of other chronic communicable diseases.
The 2008-09 State Budget also includes $20.1 million to tackle chronic disease, with a focus on disadvantaged communities.
It will focus on better data collection for type 2 diabetes, expanding the Victorian Population Health Survey to collect local government area data on risk factors every three years; and expanding the Early Intervention in Chronic Disease Program from its current 18 sites to cover a further 18 local government areas in the State.
The program provides allied health, nursing, care coordination and self-management support. Once established, it will provide services to 2768 people annually.
The Budget also includes $2.1 million for the Aboriginal Health Promotion and Chronic Care Partnership to enable community health services to better tailor early intervention and treatment services, as well as promoting Go for your Life through Aboriginal community organisations.
It accounts for $5 million for planning for a world-class cancer precinct at Parkville announced late last year.
The Brumby Labor Government’s 2008-09 State Budget also allocates $73.5 million for the second stage of the Sunshine Hospital Redevelopment Project which will provide a radiotherapy facility with four bunkers and a new teaching, training and research facility.
“The radiotherapy service will be the first public service located in the western suburbs and will significantly improve access to important cancer treatment,” Mr Andrews said.
These preventative health measures build on the Brumby Labor Government’s $600 million WorkHealth initiative announced in March, which will give Victoria’s 2.6 million workers the chance to be screened for preventable diseases like diabetes.
