Labor commits $30m to Mid West health including oncology, Geraldton RFDS base and expanded dialysis unit

A radiation oncology clinic and funding for a local RFDS base are the centrepieces of Labor’s $30 million election pledge to boost healthcare in Geraldton and the Mid West.

The party announced on Wednesday a $21m commitment for a radiation oncology service, $7.5m towards setting up a RFDS base in Geraldton and $2m to expand the Geraldton renal dialysis unit.

The oncology commitment comes after a long battle between the State and Federal governments over funding, where in 2019 the then-Morrison Government invested $9m towards the facility.

It was understood the State Government had previously tried to lobby the Federal Government to fully fund the project.

In Geraldton on Wednesday, Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said both the Liberal and National parties were not committed to improving health for the people of Geraldton.

“It’s only Labor governments who have built a new hospital, in 2005 and again building a new health campus,” she said.

“The Liberal National Government federally committed less than half of what is required to deliver radiation on quality services in Geraldton.

“It’s not a genuine commitment. It was never a genuine commitment, and they’re not taking the people of Geraldton seriously.”

The oncology unit would be similar to the one delivered for Albany in 2023, after a four-year process, with Ms Sanderson saying she was confident they would be able to provide the service in Geraldton.

She said capital works would need to take place due to the unit needing specific technology, but said it would relieve stress for those needing to go through treatment.

“At the moment people do have to travel to Perth for their radiation oncology,” Ms Sanderson said.

“It is transformational that people can have their treatment at home and closer to home and that is absolutely part of the Cook Labor Government’s focus on regional health care.”

The Liberal Party has promised $25m for a radiation oncology clinic, while the Nationals have committed $10.3m should they form government.

Nationals candidate for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr slammed Labor’s announcement, calling it “disingenuous”.

“The Nationals WA have been fighting for this facility for years, yet WA Labor has refused to commit a single dollar before now,” she said.

“Their track record of delays and broken promises, including the never-ending Geraldton Hospital redevelopment, proves WA Labor simply can’t be trusted to deliver this project.”

Durack MHR Melissa Price said people in the Mid West had been let down for years, saying the $9m from the Federal Government has been there since 2019.

“They asked for enough money for Albany, because Albany’s is up and running, but they didn’t ask for enough money for Geraldton,” she said.

“I believe the Federal Government did what it was asked to do, and so this is a disappointing situation that the people in Geraldton have been without this sort of radiation service for four or five years.

“This is only being done because of an election.”

Meanwhile, Labor’s RFDS proposal would see the Meekatharra base relocated to Geraldton, with the former remaining as a patient transfer base.

The new base in Geraldton would include a primary care hub, with the base expected to be RFDS’ busiest regional centre.

Ms Sanderson said the funding would support half the cost to create the base, with RFDS to fundraise the remaining amount should Labor win the March election.

RFDS chief executive Judith Barker welcomed the funding pledge, saying it was a win for people in the Mid West.

“This commitment today will allow us to have more doctors, nurses and pilots based in the Mid West providing greater care for the people of this area,” she said.

“Geraldton is one of our busiest locations, and we fly two to three people a day from Geraldton.

“We know with the investment in the hospital, this area will only become busier for us as more people are able to come to Geraldton and get the care they so desperately need closer to home.”

The Liberal Party last week promised $45m to buy two emergency helicopters and set up a RFDS base in Geraldton.