The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has requested a commitment from the Minister for Health that the State Government will continue to fund the TrialHub program at Mildura Base Public Hospital.
The TrialHub program is funded until June 2025, with the State Government yet to announce its plans for the program’s future.
“TrialHub is a lifeline for many cancer patients in our region, providing access to cutting-edge clinical trials without the burden of long-distance travel. Without initiatives like TrialHub, we risk losing vital services and the skilled professionals needed to sustain them,” Ms Benham said.
“Our region already suffers from the tyranny of distance in not being able to provide timely and adequate specialist health services. Given the financial and operational restrictions that are now upon so many Victorian health schemes, TrialHub at the Mildura Base Public Hospital is so vitally important.
“I have had numerous residents contact me seeking reassurance that this program will continue. Some of these are in the middle of clinical trials and the worry over whether the program will continue is deeply distressing and an additional concern they do not need.”
TrialHub has been heavily supported by Mildura Base Public Hospital, playing a crucial role in upskilling healthcare professionals. This support has enabled the hospital to successfully implement the TrialHub model, allowing clinical trials to be conducted in collaboration with metropolitan hospitals. As a result, patients can receive advanced treatments without having to relocate, ensuring they can remain in their home communities while accessing vital care.
“The State Government must recognise the immense value of this program and commit to its ongoing funding,” Ms. Benham urged. “Without TrialHub, regional patients will once again be left behind, forced to navigate unnecessary hardships just to receive the care they deserve,” Ms Benham said.
