THE Federal Government will provide $12 million to the McGrath Foundation for 44 new breast care nurses in rural and regional areas.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon joined former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath today to announce the funding commitment at Parliament House in Canberra.
The 44 nurses will be specially trained to provide information and care to women diagnosed with breast cancer, their family and friends.
The McGrath Foundation was co-founded by Glenn Mcgrath and his late wife Jane after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She died of cancer in June this year.
Mr McGrath said that it was Jane's dream to ensure every woman diagnosed with breast cancer could access a breast care nurse after experiencing first hand the positive effect it had on her treatment.
It costs about $350,000 to place one breast care nurse in a community for a three-year period.
Ms Roxon said nearly all of the new nurses would be located in rural and regional areas.
- WHERE THE NURSES WILL BE LOCATED:
- NSW - Shoalhaven, Moree, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Mudgee, Bathurst, Cooma, Monaro, Young, Griffith, Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Campbelltown, North Sydney, Hornsby
- VICTORIA - Shepparton, Benalla, Ballarat, Horsham, Geelong, Warrnambool, Colac, Warragul, Bairnsdale, Sale, Swan Hill
- QUEENSLAND - Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Gladstone, Kingaroy, Warwick, Dalby, Roma
- SOUTH AUSTRALIA - Wallaroo, Berri, Victor Harbour
- WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Bunbury, Geraldton, Albany
- TASMANIA - Hobart
- ACT - Canberra
AAP
