22nd October, 2025.
I acknowledge members of my local Rotary club in the gallery. My question is directed to the Minister for Health. Recently I wrote to the Minister regarding Bowral hospital and the potential of increasing its capacity with the inclusion of a new cancer treatment centre. Given space is optimal with NSW Health and the old emergency department [ED] is currently empty, will the Minister inform the House of the Government's view of my request and whether he supports the expansion of cancer treatment for the residents of Bowral?
Mr RYAN PARK (Keira—Minister for Health, Minister for Regional Health, and Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast): I thank the member for Wollondilly for that good question. It is widely agreed across the political divide that she is a fierce advocate for her community and works extremely hard for a growing community that straddles the south-west of Sydney and the Southern Highlands, which I recognise can be challenging at times. I have read the member's correspondence, which I will get to shortly. I assure her that all public patients from Bowral and District Hospital receive cancer care, including chemotherapy and haematology services, at the Southern Highlands Cancer Centre at the neighbouring Southern Highlands Private Hospital. There are no out-of-pocket fees for those public patients receiving care at the cancer centre.
The member for Wollondilly will be aware that cancer services in all our local health districts are networked so that we can move people around and provide the very best care in a geographical location. That works far better than the model of care in the Victorian health system, which tends to be one-out hospitals that are not integrated into a system. We do it differently in New South Wales. That is why, despite all of the challenges that I, as the Minister, and other local members know we face, our health system is still arguably one of the best systems in the world. I also note that at times people can incur costs for that treatment, including in the Wollondilly electorate. Members should be aware of IPTAAS, the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme, which is designed to provide rebates and support for people accessing cancer care services.
Turning to the member's correspondence, at the moment I do not have immediate plans for a brand-new cancer centre at Bowral and District Hospital. However, the member will know that discussions have commenced in accordance with the clinical services plan, or CSP, as a potential future opportunity for her community in line with current population projections. Whilst we do not have immediate intentions and I cannot announce today an immediate plan, we are looking at that particular issue as a part of our strategic planning for the member's community. I assure the member for Wollondilly—who has raised this particular point with me personally—that community consultation will continue to take place as part of any future health services planning for the Southern Highlands, and I will make sure to engage with the member herself. The $123.7 million redevelopment of the Bowral and District Hospital is being delivered in two stages. [Extension of time]
The redevelopment will transform the experience of patients, staff and community by delivering high‑quality personalised care and, importantly from my perspective and that of the member, purpose-built facilities designed to meet the needs of a modern-day healthcare environment. This redevelopment was designed in line with clinicians, community members, health planners, infrastructure experts and the broader team from NSW Health. It is expected to be completed next year, in 2026—and, for the local member, it cannot come soon enough. There is considerable growth in her electorate, which is unique given its geographical location. It hubs into parts of the South Western Sydney Local Health District and also into services in the Southern Highlands.
I get that it can sometimes be a challenge for members whose local areas straddle communities. I assure the member for Wollondilly that I am willing and will continue to work closely with her and her local community around accessibility to cancer services. With cancer services, people often require frequent and ongoing treatment for considerable periods. Members of this place have undergone that treatment—the Deputy Premier is undergoing that treatment as we speak. It requires constant and frequent trips to hospitals, which can often be difficult. I am determined that we will do better and improve on providing those services as close to home as possible. Whilst I do not have an announcement at the moment for the member for Wollondilly, I can say that is a part of our clinical services planning. Importantly, we are willing to deliver, and will continue to look at delivering, better health services for her community.