Radiation treatment campaign update

A community forum has been called to update the Limestone Coast community on the push for radiation treatment services in the Limestone Coast.

To be held at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on July 25 at 5.30pm, chair Lachlan Haynes said he hoped that the forum will offer an opportunity for all in the community to hear from all interested parties regarding where the issue is currently and allow community members to ask questions and raise concerns.

The community forum will include a panel of speakers including from the State Government, State Opposition, radiation treatment service providers, doctors and patients.

“The Working Group has met with the Limestone Coast Local Health Network and the State Health Minister, and there remains some unanswered questions and a degree of misinformation regarding radiation treatment and its viability in the Limestone Coast,” Mr Haynes said.

“We want the opportunity for all members of the community who signed the petition to receive and update regarding the campaigns progress and ask necessary questions.

“The fact that the $4.3 million of federal funding is being spent on consulting suites, carparking and staff rooms before we know the outcome of the feasibility study is concerning.

“When the group met with the State Minister in Adelaide we asked for that funding to be quarantined until the feasibility study was completed but the Minister has refused that request based on advice from the Local Health Network.

“We are the State’s second largest city in a thriving region and we deserve improved health services. The health and wellbeing of our community under pins our economic contribution to the State.

“Sadly, the State Government seems to think that the 65,000 people living, working and raising families in the Limestone Coast don’t deserve the same services available to community members in Mildura and Griffith.

“Our aim is to have an open and transparent conversation with all stakeholders at this important community meeting. This issue is not going away and we need to make that clear to those who make the funding decisions about the availability of health services in our community.”

The event is free, but bookings are preferred at https://www.trybooking.com/1074913 can learn how to take small steps to get ready for future disruptions through a FREE business resilience program now open for registration. The Business Community Resilience (BCR) Toolkit: Limestone Coast program helps small business people to prepare, connect and build resilience. From July to September, participants will receive 15 micro-learning modules on resilient-ready topics including removing the linchpin, creating more revenue streams, cybersecurity and connecting with the business next door. Co-designed with a local advisory group, the program is open to all small businesses within the City of Mount Gambier, District Council of Grant, District Council of Robe, Kingston District Council, Naracoorte Lucindale Council, Tatiara District Council and Wattle Range Council. To register, go to https:// resilientready.org/.../bcr-toolkit-limestone-coast/

Details regarding the panel members and other important speakers will be announced in coming weeks.