The Albanese Government must guarantee regional men will not lose access to specialist prostate cancer care when Commonwealth funding for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s nursing service ends in June 2027, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
The Government will cease funding PCFA’s Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service from June 30, 2027, with funding redirected to the McGrath Foundation under a new national cancer nursing model.
Mr Chester said the McGrath Foundation did outstanding work, but the Government needed to explain why it was defunding an established prostate-specific service and how it would protect continuity of care.
“This shouldn’t be about pitting two highly respected cancer organisations against each other,” Mr Chester said.
“The McGrath Foundation does tremendous work, but PCFA has spent years building specialist expertise and trusted relationships with men and families dealing specifically with prostate cancer.
“For regional men, where access to specialists can already mean hours on the road, continuity of care is critically important.
“The Government needs to guarantee no regional patient will be worse off because of this decision.”
PCFA says the decision affects 96 Commonwealth-funded nurses within its national network of 131 Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses.
Mr Chester recently met specialist nurses, survivors and families at PCFA’s Big Aussie Barbie and Day of Action at Parliament House.
“These nurses support men through diagnosis, treatment, side effects, recovery and some incredibly personal and difficult conversations,” Mr Chester said.
“For many patients, particularly in regional Australia, their specialist nurse is the constant throughout their cancer journey.”
PCFA’s October workforce consultation received 70 responses from specialist nurses, with 96 per cent opposing the decision or raising serious concerns. Sixty per cent warned about potential impacts on continuity of care, while seven nurses said they were already looking for other roles, considering leaving or would not continue under the proposed arrangements.
A separate PCFA report drawing on around 500 messages from patients, survivors and families found one-third directly called for the decision to be reversed or reconsidered. Regional contributors highlighted long distances, limited local services and the important role specialist nurses play in filling those gaps.
“When 96 per cent of the specialist nurses who responded are opposed or seriously concerned, the Government should be listening,” Mr Chester said.
“PCFA has also raised concerns about the lack of consultation and called for the evidence behind the decision to be released.
“This is ultimately about patients and their families. They deserve confidence that the specialist support they rely on will still be there when they need it.”
