MEDICAL students in Dubbo have drawn on their experience with patients in joining the community-driven campaign for the establishment of an integrated cancer centre in the city.
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The University of Sydney School of Rural Health (SRH) 2016 cohort is concerned for patients and convinced that the mooted facility would boost the ranks of health professionals in Dubbo, proving a wider educational experience.
The release of a photographic and written statement of the students' support for more diagnostic and treatment options in Dubbo followed federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton's address to the Australian Parliament in which he told of constituents choosing an early death over travelling away.
Spokesman for the students, Lars Newman, revealed their observations of patients in Dubbo Hospital.
"Many of the cancer patients we see in the hospital are required to travel long distances to Sydney to obtain treatment, which comes at a huge cost to them emotionally and financially," he said.
"It's clear that if they could access that treatment here in their community, with the close support network of friends and family nearby, this could be really beneficial to the medical outcome."
Mr Newman, originally from Dubbo and in the fourth year of his medical degree, said a cancer centre in Dubbo would attract more doctors, specialists, nurses and allied health workers trained to care for cancer patients.
"As medical students, it would also be a huge benefit to us as it would give students at the SRH the chance to learn from these professionals, and even more reason to return to Dubbo to practise," he said.
Mr Newman organised the taking of the photograph of the SRH 2016 cohort and staff to highlight "just how many people at the campus are behind the centre".
They are among thousands of Western NSW residents and organisations responding positively to the Cancer Centre for Dubbo Hospital Facebook page set up by the Rotary Club of Dubbo West's Lyn Smith and Frances Peters-Little from the Jimmy Little Foundation.
Mr Coulton has congratulated the Rotarians and doctors working at Dubbo Hospital for "pushing" the project that he expects will require up to $60 million for capital works.
"I will keep fighting for federal funding for as long as we have to," he said this week.
The state government would be responsible for equipping and manning the much-awaited cancer centre in Dubbo.
State Member for Dubbo and NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant has held talks with the chief executive of the Western NSW Local Health District Scott McLachlan about the possibility of making room for the cancer centre in stage three and four redevelopment of Dubbo Hospital.
