Legislative Council, Wednesday 28 May 2025

Ms FORREST question to ACTING LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs PALMER

In relation to the vacant 1 FTE radiation oncology position at NWRH;

1) Has this position been filled;
a. If not, is there an expected timeline for appointment?

2) If support is still being provided from Launceston, how many patients are still being required to travel to Launceston from the North-West Coast for daily treatment; and
a. How often is this necessary, noting the treatment takes less than 30 minutes in total?

ANSWER:

1) Unfortunately, the position is not yet filled.
a. I am advised that this vacancy has been advertised three times. The most recent recruitment campaign closed on 28 April 2025, with no suitable applicants. I am further advised that other jurisdictions are also experiencing similar recruitment challenges in this sub-specialty. This position will continue to be advertised until a suitable applicant is appointed. In the meantime, locum coverage will continue to be sought.

2) Support for North West patients continues to be delivered from the WP Holman Clinic in Launceston. Due to workforce issues currently being experienced at the North West Regional Hospital, an average of 11 patients per month from the North West are currently travelling to Launceston for radiation therapy. In addition, an average of 15 patients per month travel to Launceston from the North West because their treatment is too complex to be managed in Burnie.
a. The number of daily treatments required will vary according to the diagnosis. On average, patients have between 15-30 daily treatments.