TOWNSVILLE NURSES WARN OF PROSTATE CANCER CARE UNCERTAINTY

From left: Dr Sally Sara, PCFA Director of Nursing; Kathy Ashley, Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse; Andrew Willcox MP, Federal Member for Dawson; Rebecca Harrigan, Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse; and a member of the Townsville Prostate Support Group. Photo supplied

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Townsville prostate cancer nurses have warned a Federal Government funding change could disrupt specialist support for men and their families, with the existing nursing program due to lose Commonwealth funding in June 2027.

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Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox brought together specialist nurses, patients and advocates in Townsville to oppose the decision to redirect funding from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia's (PCFA) nursing program to the McGrath Foundation under a broader cancer nursing model.

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The change, due to take effect from 30th June 2027, puts 96 Commonwealth-funded specialist nursing positions within PCFA's national network of 131 nurses at risk, according to the organisation.

PCFA Director of Nursing Dr Sally Sara, who travelled from Adelaide for the Townsville event, said the decision had caused significant concern among nurses and patients.

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“This decision has caused deep distress across our nursing network and among the men and families living with prostate cancer right across Australia,” she said.

PCFA's specialist nurses provide about 150,000 patient consultations each year, helping men navigate treatment decisions, side effects, recovery and advanced disease.

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The organisation said its nurses had spent 15 years developing specialist expertise and relationships with patients, families and local support groups.

Townsville prostate cancer specialist nurse Kathy Ashley said the funding change raised questions about the future availability of dedicated support.

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“We are not simply standing here today protecting a workforce. We are protecting a lifeline,” she said.

“I worry deeply about the men who receive a prostate cancer diagnosis after June 2027. Will they have access to a knowledgeable specialist nurse, and will their families receive the same level of support?”

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Mr Willcox, co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer, said his office had received calls from men and families concerned about whether they would retain access to nurses familiar with their medical histories and treatment.

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He acknowledged the McGrath Foundation's work but questioned whether the transition would preserve the same level of prostate cancer expertise and continuity of care.

“The McGrath Foundation does fantastic work, and this is absolutely no criticism of its nurses,” he said.

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“But the Government has not guaranteed these men will retain the specialist nurse who knows his medical history, understands his treatment and has earned his trust.”

PCFA said a voluntary workforce consultation released in October found 96 per cent of responding specialist nurses affected by the decision opposed the change, while one in 10 reported already looking for alternative employment.

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The organisation also warned regional and remote men faced a 24 per cent higher risk of dying from prostate cancer than those in metropolitan areas.

Mr Willcox called on the Federal Government to reverse the funding decision and retain support for PCFA's specialist nursing service.

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The Government's funding is being redirected rather than withdrawn from cancer nursing altogether, with the McGrath Foundation to receive support under the broader model.

Almost 29,000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, while nearly 4000 die from the disease, according to figures cited by PCFA.

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