Cancer Centre for Dubbo may be a step closer

Member for Dubbo Troy Grant met with Western NSW Local Health District chief executive officer Scott McLachlan this week to discuss what would be required to include an integrated cancer diagnosis and treatment facility in redevelopment works currently under way at the Dubbo hospital campus.

Mr Grant told the Daily Liberal he was very supportive of the bid to secure the cancer centre.

"Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is leading the campaign to obtain federal funding," he said.

"I wish him every success and call on the federal government to support Mr Coulton. A cancer centre for Dubbo is justified given the significant area the hospital covers and the more than 200,000 people living in the western region."

Mr Grant said it had always been part of his vision to have a cancer centre in Dubbo.

"We are utilising Mark to get the Commonwealth to pitch in," he said.

"Once capital works funding is obtained it would be the job of the state government to equip the cancer centre and fund its operation."

Mr Grant declined to say how much money would be required to turn the dream of a cancer centre into a reality.

"The project needs to be scoped out properly," he said.

"That planning work is already under way. The cancer centre for Dubbo was discussed when I met with the health district chief executive officer on Monday.

"The proposal is for a cancer facility to be included in the stage 3 and 4 redevelopment of the hospital. A number of enabling works have already been done on the site."

Mr Coulton said he was determined to obtain federal funding for the project.

He estimated between $50-60 million would be required for capital works.

"I congratulate the group of West Dubbo Rotarians and Dubbo Hospital doctors who have been pushing for the cancer centre," Mr Coulton said.

"When I met them earlier this year I pledged to do everything possible to help.

"From the outset I said the best case scenario would be getting a financial commitment this year. If that does not occur I will keep fighting for federal funding for as long as we have to.

"I have been driving (deputy prime minister) Barnaby Joyce and (minister for rural health) Fiona Nash nuts with my insistence that a cancer centre for Dubbo is something the government needs to be funding.

"This week I spoke in parliament about the cancer centre to show my colleagues - including senior ministers - that I am fair dinkum."

Mr Coulton said the Cancer Centre for Dubbo Hospital Facebook page was receiving strong support from around the western region and further afield .

The page, established by West Dubbo Rotarian Lyn Smith and Frances Peters-Little from the Jimmy Little Foundation, now has more than 19,000 social media followers.

"The support is incredible and a lot of hard work is happening behind the scenes," Mr Coulton said.

"But I don't want to raise expectations that federal funding for a cancer centre is a done deal.

"There are a lot of projects around Australia that need to be funded. It will take exceptional effort to get the money but I am prepared to put myself out there.

"The response from parliamentary colleagues has been positive. So too have been my conversations with relevant ministers. But until I can see the cheque or hear a definite promise of funding I would be very foolish to say the money is secure.

"I am pulling out all stops because of the narrow opportunity available in the next stage of development at Dubbo Hospital.

"I am told a great deal of money can be saved if a cancer centre is incorporated in the current hospital works. Waiting until a later date to build a stand-alone cancer clinic would be $15 million more expensive."