LNP cuts breast cancer services
BREASTSCREEN Queensland - the iconic statewide cancer service credited with saving thousands of lives - will be dismantled by the Newman Government.
The plan to break up the service, as well as bowel and cervical cancer programs, has shocked the Queensland Cancer Council, which now fears lives will be put at risk.
The state's 17 hospital and health boards will be given responsibility to co-ordinate and plan mammograms and other cancer tests.
They will be given a budget to provide services and set their own priorities for patient care. Board members will include clinicians, academics, small business owners and local identities.
It means BreastScreen Queensland, which has been operating for more than 20 years and last year had a budget of almost $44 million, will no longer centrally control mobile breast screening vans or radiographer staff relief pools. A spokesman for Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said services should be provided locally.
Read more at the Courier Mail.
