SA Health Minister Chris Picton says the government will be “undertaking a feasibility study and business case” regarding radiation treatment services in the Limestone Coast.

The $80,000 inquiry comes despite documents revealing the embattled Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) plans to divert $4.3 million away from cancer patients requiring local radiation therapy.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin attained the $4.3 million funding for the radiation equipment under the previous Coalition Government.

But LCLHN meeting minutes show in February 2022 it decided to support a “Cancer Consult Suite” at the Mount Gambier Hospital instead, claiming it had assessed the viability of a radiation oncology service, “with significant gaps identified”.

A document forwarded to The Naracoorte Community News by the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party claims that under the banner of “cancer consult suite” the federal funds are to be diverted for roads, footpaths, car parks, a workroom for 12 staff members, a respite room for staff and a kitchenette area as well as rooms for a “cancer consult suite”.

The “suite” – which does not include radiation treatment – will also enable some patients or “consumers” to chat to a doctor by video link.

The document further claims the LCLHN also plans to spend some of the $4.3 million on replacing and expanding the hospital’s nurse call system “to accommodate the new consult areas and address legacy issues pertaining to ageing infrastructure”.

Mr Picton’s announcement for an inquiry was triggered by a petition of 20,000 signatures – 16,000 hard copy, and 4,000 digital – led by Naracoorte’s Lachlan Haynes who chairs the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party.

Making the announcement in parliament, Mr Picton was critical of the former Liberal State and Federal Governments and highlighted the LCLHN was also established by the previous Marshall Liberal Government.

The LCLHN had last year recommended to Mr Picton that the government not support a radiation treatment service.

That news sparked the formation of the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party in January of this year.

Preparing a petition, in under 11 weeks the working group collected double the number of signatures required to trigger an inquiry.

Tabling the petition in parliament, Opposition Leader David Speirs called for the radiation treatment to be available “in a way that ensures regional patients are able to access this service on the same basis as comparable services available in Adelaide or Warrnambool”.

During question time, shadow minister for regional health Penny Pratt asked Mr Picton: “Will the government fund radiation treatment services in the Limestone Coast?”.

Mr Picton told parliament the government was investing significantly in additional health services for people in the Limestone Coast.

He highlighted expansions at Mount Gambier for its emergency department, mental health services, drug rehabilitation and detox services, as well as Ambulance services.

Ms Pratt later told parliament the government had delivered “delays, diversions and disappointment” to health patients in the Limestone Coast, and highlighted the plight of country people across the state because of their geographical location.

Two days before the petition was tabled in parliament to trigger the inquiry, SA Health forwarded a press release that stated “the (LCLHN) board is now firmly committed to the preparation of a current and independent feasibility study and business case into a regional radiation treatment service”.

According to the release, Adelaide based LCLHN board member Dr Andrew Saies said: “There are many important considerations not yet fully realised that are an essential part of providing a safe, effective and financially sustainable regional service”.

CEO of the LCLHN Ngaire Buchanan claimed the “expanded focus on cancer care will add to our regional capability, attract further specialist support and set the next stage in providing radiation, or other treatment”.

Grant King, the chair of the LCLHN, said if a finding from the study supported a regional radiation treatment service, the board would work with Mr Picton, SA Health and the State Government “to address the necessary funding and implementation options”.

Mr Picton said the previous government rejected the proposal because of safety and quality concerns and Liberal members needed to explain why that occurred.

Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party chair Lachlan Haynes said he was pleased Mr Picton and regional development minister Clare Scriven took the time to meet with the radiation working party on the day the petition was tabled.

He said it was not fair to play politics with radiation services which were desperately needed in the South East by cancer patients.

“The LCLHN says we can’t have a radiation service because of safety concerns. If there is a safety concern – what are they saying about the Mount Gambier Hospital?” Mr Haynes said.

“Surely any safety issues should be fixed.”

He said the hospital did not even run the radiation service – private operators who were “experts in the field did it, and supplied their own staff”.

Mr Haynes said he had tired of listening to all the excuses about why it could not be done.

“The LCLHN is meant to represent the community, and 20,000 people want a radiation service in our region,” Mr Haynes said.

“It’s time for them to say `let’s represent our community, let’s do what we need to do to make this service available’.”

This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.