CHRONICLE COLUMN | 25 June 2024
Health is Toowoomba’s biggest employer. It is the fifth biggest industry sector, by business count in Toowoomba. It is an advocacy priority for the Toowoomba Chamber.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare makes it clear, that Australian’s living outside of metropolitan areas face unique challenges and poorer health outcomes. This can be attributed, in part, to poor access to health care services.
With, Toowoomba, being the Capital of the Great Southwest, who supports the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders, west to the Northern Territory and South Australian border and south to the New South Wales border, and beyond, we deserve better health services to address the unique challenges faced by regional, rural and remote areas.
Let’s start fixing this challenge by bringing forward all works associated with the Ballie Hendersen Hospital and developing a way to incentivise and attract more diagnostic, technical, therapeutic and direct health services to Toowoomba.
For reasons such as this, the Toowoomba Chamber actively supports organisations like the Jenny Black Cancer Wellness Centre.
Did you know that the total number of people living with cancer has increased over the last three decades with advancements in medical research, early detection, and innovative treatments? However, many experience long-term physical and mental illness associated with their treatment. This has profound implications for patient care, healthcare systems, and ongoing pressure on health care providers.
We stand with the Jenny Black Cancer Wellness Centre and ask for bi-partisan support to:
· act on the key recommendations detailed in the 2022 Integrated Oncology and Wellness Centres in Cancer Care White Paper.
· recognise the significant role Oncology Wellness Centres have in achieving the objectives of the Australian Cancer Plan and in reducing the pressure on the primary and secondary health systems.
· fund the Primary Health Networks to enable local Oncology Wellness Centres to be contracted to offer oncology massage and lymphoedema massage in community settings at no cost to the patient.
Jo Capp, Chief Executive Officer, Jenny Black Cancer Wellness Centre
Todd Rohl, Chief Executive Officer, Toowoomba Chamber.
