Fed: Radiologists call for funding increase on report findings

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2001
Fed: Radiologists call for funding increase on report findings

CANBERRA, Aug 22 AAP - Australian radiologists have called for more funding following
a report which found 10,000 people missing out on vital cancer treatment.

The dean of the faculty of radiation oncologists at the College of Radiologists, Liz
Kenny, said the report was proof of the plight facing many people suffering cancer.

The report found just 38 per cent of cancer patients received radiation treatment and
if the situation was not improved, by 2005 up to 20,000 cancer sufferers could be missing
out on radiotherapy each year.

Dr Kenny said by all measures Australia had failed to reach internationally recognised
benchmarks for having radiotherapy access.

"We need all levels of government to increase their level of funding," Dr Kenny told AAP.

"There needs to be more resources into infrastructure, into staffing and into modernisation."

Federal Health Minister Michael Wooldridge accused radiologists of being alarmist and
self-serving in their response to the report.

"What you have here is a medical professional group using the run-up to an election
in an attempt to gain benefit for themselves," he said.

Australian Medical Association treasurer Allan Zimet said the report confirmed radiotherapy
had not received adequate funding for some time.

"Governments must act to fund and strategically locate the specialists and the services
so they are more accessible to the people who need them," he said in a statement.

AAP sw/vr/br

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