Greater Western Area Health Service chief executive Danny O’Connor yesterday revealed to the Daily Liberal that it was in talks with “several partners” on the possibility of making a bid for Federal Government funding for such a facility.

Newly-formed Dubbo Orana Cancer Action Team (DOCAT) is among the locals cheering them on.

This week the Federal Government called for applications for the $560 million it has committed from the Health and Hospitals Fund to establish a network of about 10 best-practice and regional cancer centres and associated accommodation facilities.

Eligible public or private organisations can apply for infrastructure funding to establish new centres or enhance existing ones.

They aim to “close the gap in cancer outcomes between the city and the country”.

Earlier this year a NSW Cancer Council report identified Dubbo Base Hospital as one of the hospitals that should be considered for radiotherapy services.

Yesterday, after The Nationals alerted Dubbo and district to “an opportunity that should not be missed”, Mr O’Connor offered a ray of hope to those who have longed for an expansion of cancer treatment in the city.

“Greater Western Area Health Service is speaking with several partners, public and private, regarding a possible submission,” he said.

“Greater Western Area Health Service has held discussions with these partners during the past several weeks and we hope to bring these discussions to a conclusion next week.”

The announcement was what DOCAT was hoping to hear after ruling out making a bid of its own.

Chairwoman Pam Leggatt, a cancer survivor, said the expensive and arduous process of putting together an application was “out of our league”.

“If GWAHS put up its hand, I think that would be great,” she said.

Parkes MP Mark Coulton is facilitating the emergence of DOCAT, born out of Ms Leggatt’s seven-week stay in Sydney for radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer.