Narrabri Chamber of Commerce wins campaign for local chemotherapy treatment

Lobbying by Narrabri Chamber of Commerce to have chemotherapy treatment available at Narrabri Hospital has achieved its aim.

Hunter New England Health has agreed to provide a much needed chemotherapy ‘outreach service’ at Narrabri Hospital.

“This is a wonderful breakthrough,” said Chamber of Commerce president Russell Stewart. “It will mean that about 70 people from Narrabri and district will not have to travel a minimum of two hours to have their regular chemotherapy treatments.”

Chief executive, Hunter New England Health Michael DiRienzo said the service would begin in 2021.

“The people of Narrabri will have access to chemotherapy services at their local hospital from mid next year,” Mr DiRienzo said in a statement.

“Executive director Rural and Regional Health Services Susan Heyman and I met with the Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce to discuss local services and committed to establishing a chemotherapy outreach service at Narrabri Hospital.

“We have reviewed the data and while the number of patients from Narrabri who require chemotherapy is quite small, we appreciate that having access to treatment closer to home will reduce the burden of travel for these very sick patients and their families” Mr DiRienzo said.

“Patients would still need to attend the major North West Cancer Centre in the early stages of diagnosis and treatment to ensure safety, but they could continue chemotherapy at Narrabri Hospital.

“The Narrabri service will be provided by qualified nursing staff with oversight by an oncologist in Moree or Tamworth.

“One of the major challenges in establishing any rural health services is securing the relevant workforce and we will seek to attract local registered nurses and provide them with the specialist training needed.

“Planning for this chemotherapy outreach service, including the required minor infrastructure works, will now commence with the view to establishing this service in mid-2021.”

“We have been actively lobbying for some time to achieve this for our community,” said Mr Stewart.

“We have a great relationship with Hunter New England Health and thank Mr DiRienzo for his support.

“It will mean that about 70 people from Narrabri and district will not have to travel a minimum of two hours to have their regular chemotherapy treatments.

“This is a wonderful service – people are not at their best when having to travel for chemotherapy – the last thing they want to do is travel.

“The provision of the service will involve the attendance of a qualified operator to administer the treatments at Narrabri Hospital,” Mr Stewart said.

“I am regularly contacted by businesses interested in coming to the area and they ask two questions – one about the health services and the other about education.

“The education provision is well regarded and the health issues are being progressively addressed.

“Many community issues are brought to the chamber as an easily accessible and independent forum.”

“Narrabri Chamber of Commerce is holistic in its approach to not only build local business but also the wider community.

“Our recent involvement in the supply of state of the art ultrasound equipment for the hospital in conjunction with our partners is now supported by this latest move forward,” Mr Stewart added.