Vicki Durston, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), shared a post on LinkedIn:
“International Women’s Day: Minister Butler Reveals First Look at BreastScreen Australia Review Outcomes – As Equity Gaps Persist
This week in Brisbane, the sector gathered for the BreastScreen Australia Conference – bringing together clinicians, researchers, policymakers consumers and advocates focused on the future of early detection for Australian women.
On Friday, the Hon. Mark Butler provided the sector with the first look at outcomes emerging from the BreastScreen Australia National Policy and Funding Review, commissioned by the Australian Government in October 2023.
The review presentation from the Department of Health and Aged Care was delivered by Alison Lang alongside Rita Butera, CEO of BreastScreen Victoria and Chair of the BreastScreen Australia Program, together with Viv Milch from Cancer Australia.
Importantly, they recognised the extraordinary work undertaken over several years by the expert working group led by Professor Sanchia Aranda. The work of this group – alongside the efforts of the Department – has been significant in bringing together the evidence, technology considerations and policy architecture required to support the next era of breast screening in Australia.
Importantly, program managers across the country have now agreed to the recommendations – no small achievement in a federated health system.
Minister Butler outlined the first areas the Commonwealth will now begin working on:
- Developing a national policy framework for risk-based screening
- Establishing a national strategy to boost participation
- Creating a contemporary quality and safety framework
- Strengthening collaboration between the Commonwealth and states and territories
One reality was impossible to ignore this week.
I experienced first-hand how quickly conversations can drift into finger-pointing between the Commonwealth and the states about who is responsible for funding, infrastructure and reform.
And this is where progress too often slows.
Another issue that became clear this week is the lack of transparency around funding.
We know what high-quality screening costs to deliver. What remains far less clear is how much funding is actually being invested in BreastScreen Australia across jurisdictions.
The program operates through a partnership between the Commonwealth and states and territories – yet there is still no clear national picture of how much Commonwealth block funding is flowing into screening services, how it is being used, or what level of investment states and territories are contributing themselves.
Greater transparency is needed.
Now it is time for governments – Commonwealth and state – to match that ambition with investment, action and implementation.
Ensuring high-quality breast screening is not just good policy – it is one of the most important commitments we can make to women’s health.”
Other articles featuring Vicki Durston on OncoDaily.