The application, being made by public and private health workers, is aimed at improving access and support for cancer patients.

It would bring together public and private diagnostic, treatment, support and research services, and boost links with facilities outside the region.

Working party consumer representative Marianne Warren said at present cancer patients and their families often had to travel between different sites within and outside the area to receive their diagnosis and treatment.

“This can result in poor continuity and co-ordination of care, inefficient service delivery and a lack of equity in access to the full range of services,” she said.

“The inconvenience and cost of travelling between sites, combined with the high proportion of private services, means care is often disjointed.

“Many patients also face considerable out-of-pocket expenses.

“This can all add to the burden of patients’ cancer experience.”

Ms Warren said a regional cancer centre would provide new facilities for patients and would use information technology to improve links with metropolitan areas.

“From a consumer point of view it means that there are more services available locally, so less need to travel to Sydney and Melbourne and better co-ordination of those services locally,” she said.

“Then when you do have to go to Sydney and Melbourne, because you’re still going to have to travel to Sydney and Melbourne for some care, that will be much better co-ordinated and there won’t be a gap in the services provided between the regional network here and the services provided in the capital cities.”

The Albury-Wodonga working party will make an application to the Federal Government’s $560 million program to establish a network of 10 best practice regional cancer centres across the nation.

The bid is supported by Wodonga oncologist Craig Underhill.

Dr Underhill said the centre would treat patients from across North East Victoria and southern NSW.

“It enhances services and it’s a great opportunity to build a state-of-the-art modern building that’s appropriate for best care of patients now and also into the future,” he said.

Dr Underhill said the cost and location of the proposed centre had not been determined.

The working party is inviting public feedback about how oncology services could be improved on the Border.

Submissions must be made by Monday.

Anyone wishing to make a submission should contact Ms Warren on 0400 412 113, or send an email to

mariannewarren@bigpond.com

A pplications for the regional cancer centre are due by January 8.