Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has today welcomed news of a prostate cancer coordinator role for the Riverina district.

He said details of the position were still being finalised with the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia (PCFA) and Murrumbidgee Local Health District, but it was expected to be a Wagga based role, with coordination for outreach to surrounding communities such as Cootamundra, Young and Griffith.

“I have heard a great deal of community concern about this issue - most recently from the late Member for Hume Alby Schultz who was talking about the urgent need to address this gap in healthcare support.

“I am delighted to confirm that Federal funding will allow this position to be created and advertised,” Mr Taylor said.

He said he understood the role would provide for a nurse coordinator to work with patients and their families to offer support, assist with access to services, source information about diagnosis and treatment, coordinate care and help with education and training of other health care workers.

“I have been advocating strongly, with my colleague Michael McCormack, the Member for Riverina, to the Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley on the community’s concerns about the lack of prostate cancer support in the Riverina.

“After hearing confirmation of the news, I jumped straight on the phone to local residents who have told me they are over the moon about the announcement.

“This new Wagga position will provide a central point of contact for patients across the district. I look forward to working closely with Michael McCormack, the PCFA and Murrumbidgee Local Health District to ensure this position is filled quickly and support services start rolling out for local communities.”