Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre transition a good idea off to a catastrophic start
NSW Greens Health spokesperson and former Albury GP Dr Amanda Cohn has voiced significant concerns for staff and patient wellbeing as key stakeholders found out about the transition of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre (AWRCC) into public hands without any consultation or transition plan.
The centre is a public-private partnership (PPP) between Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) and Ramsay Health Care. It is the only inpatient and day oncology service in the region.
On Wednesday, AWH announced the centre would be entirely publicly run from July 1, 2026. Ramsay CEO Paul Boje told staff via email that the announcement “took me by surprise”.
“I apologise if this announcement took you by surprise, it took me by surprise,” Mr Boje said in the email.
“The announcement by AWH was not made in consultation with Ramsey.”
Mr Boje said no transition plan had been finalised.
Dr Cohn will seek the public release of key information relating to the changes, while reiterating the need to ensure patients and staff are taken care of.
Quotes attributable to Dr Amanda Cohn MLC:
“The AWRCC is a vital and beloved service for the Albury Wodonga and the broader region,” Dr Cohn said.
“Especially with the current issues plaguing Ramsay Health Care, bringing the centre into public operation is the right decision. But making this announcement without any communication or consultation with staff and patients is a catastrophic start for the transition.
“I have been inundated with requests from distressed staff and patients for more information about what this means for their jobs and their medical care and I will be seeking the public release of more information on their behalf. Albury Wodonga Health should have proactively addressed this.
“The AWRCC can only continue to provide the quality of care that patients and their families deserve by supporting the health professionals who provide that care.”
Media Contact: Dylan Arvela | (02) 9230 2566 | [email protected]