28 June 2012

The Nationals Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson, announced today that an interim solution to the problem of an additional oncology nurse for Cowra Hospital has been put in place and a long-term solution is currently underway.

"I have received many letters from Cowra residents concerned that oncology patients sometimes have to travel long distances for treatment when the oncology nurse at Cowra Health Service is away undergoing training, sick or is on leave," Katrina said.

"Following strong representations to the Government, I am very pleased to announce that the Nurse Manager at Cowra, who is also an accredited chemotherapy nurse, will replace the permanent nurse while she is on leave.

"This means that the delivery of oncology services at Cowra will not be disrupted."

Katrina said the NSW Government is also addressing succession planning and staff training to ensure a long-term strategy is put in place.

"Two Registered Nurses in Cowra have expressed genuine interest in gaining oncology qualifications," Katrina said.

"The Cowra Cancer Action Group, very generously will fund one RN who will commence training next month.

"The Western NSW Local Health District is assisting the second RN to apply for the College of Nursing Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing in 2013.

"I commend the Cowra Cancer Action Group for their strong lobbying and their generous support to improve services available to oncology patients.

"The Cowra Cancer Action Group has done a fantastic job and they should be rightly proud of this great outcome for local health services and for the future delivery of oncology services," Katrina said.