As the transition of the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre to a publicly operated service approaches, patients are expressing significant concerns regarding the continuity of their care. The change, set to take effect on January 23, 2026, has left many patients feeling uncertain about their treatment plans and the support they will receive.
Janine Barron, a cancer patient who has been undergoing treatment since 2011, discovered the news about the transition through a Facebook post. The announcement indicated that Ramsay Health Care and Border Oncology would vacate the premises at the end of their leases. “It took me about three or four days to get my head under control,” Barron said. Her primary concern is that she will no longer have access to her trusted oncologist, who has been integral to her care during her battle with stage four cancer. “If I die of this, I want [the oncologist] by my side, I don’t want a stranger,” she emphasized.
The management of the cancer centre will be taken over by Albury Wodonga Health, which has assured patients that their cancer care will “continue without interruption.” In a November 2025 update regarding the transition, the service stated that they are collaborating with local oncologists to ensure patients continue to receive care from familiar faces. “Border Medical Oncology will continue providing care until September 2026, so there will be no immediate change to your doctor or treatment team,” the update read.
Despite these assurances, Barron feels that communication has been lacking. “I just wish I knew what their plans are,” she said, expressing her frustration over the uncertainty surrounding the transition. Rumours have circulated suggesting that patients may have to see multiple oncologists rather than their regular doctor, which adds to her anxiety. “That’s what I’m scared of and that would totally do my head in,” she remarked.
Many patients, including an anonymous breast cancer patient, have echoed Barron’s sentiments. The patient shared that the uncertainty surrounding the transition has caused unnecessary stress. “If they communicated about what was happening, then the anxiety is taken away,” she said. This patient has also expressed a lack of trust in the public health organization, urging decision-makers to reconsider the timeline for the transition. “I would like to see either a stop or a slow down on any progression that they’re rushing to the 23rd of January because they don’t have a plan,” she stated.
Barron, who previously regarded the cancer centre as a benchmark of care, lamented the impending changes. “It’s one stop, you go and get your bloods done, you see your oncologist, you go across to the border pharmacy, and when I had radiation, that was simple too,” she explained. The centre has consistently been praised for its efficient service and compassionate staff, prompting patients to question why such a change is necessary.
As the transition date draws near, the calls for clearer communication and a more structured plan are growing louder among patients. Many are left wondering if their care will remain as seamless and supportive as it has been, or if the changes will disrupt the treatment they have come to rely on. Without a clear understanding of what the future holds, the anxiety among those affected continues to mount.
