Gippslanders suffering from prostate, melanoma, and rare cancer will soon have access to clinical trials at Latrobe Regional Hospital.
The TrialHub is a federally funded initiative to provide better access to clinical trials in regional areas like Gippsland.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today announced two new cancer trials at Latrobe Regional Hospital on behalf of the Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP.
Mr Chester said Latrobe Regional Hospital was one of the first five hospitals to partner with Alfred Health’s TrialHub.
“The TrialHub provides people with cancer and rare diseases access to, and opportunities to participate in clinical trials for new treatments and other interventions no matter where they live,” Mr Chester said.
“These new trials will provide new treatment options to people suffering from cancer across Gippsland.
“We want to help more people access the treatment and services they require.
“Distance can be a significant barrier for people living in regional and rural areas to receive cancer treatment.
“Cancer does not discriminate, and these new trials will help us tackle a major difficulty faced by patients in regional communities in accessing clinical trials.”
Mr Chester said the trials would give people the opportunity for interventions that may be better for their condition, before they are made available to the public.
“Clinical trials are essential to the development of new interventions allowing patients to get access to a wider range of cancer treatment options,” Mr Chester said.
The Federal Government is providing Alfred Health with $24.6 million over six years from 2019-20 to establish a pilot clinical trials hub.
