NSW Health is providing a $1 million boost to a new cancer and wellness centre in Echuca to help deliver chemotherapy and dialysis to cross-border communities.

The Echuca Cancer and Wellness Centre will be part of Echuca Regional Health, which services about 44,000 people in Murray River Council and the shires of Hay, Deniliquin, Moama, Balranald in NSW, and Campaspe Shire in Victoria.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government invests millions of dollars in services and infrastructure across the state to ensure regional communities can access the best health care possible.

“Echuca, on the Victorian side of the border, and Moama, on the NSW side, are in a similar situation to Albury-Wodonga. These border towns identify as single communities, with residents crossing the border daily to access services,” Mr Hazzard said.

“This new centre will provide patients in cross-border communities with world-class, critical cancer services and treatments right on their doorstep.”

Echuca Regional Health Chief Executive Nick Bush thanked the NSW Government for its $1 million commitment.

“We appreciate the support of the NSW Government of the Echuca-Moama and surrounding community. It is very exciting to see the project progressing. The purpose-built facility will give patients the best care in a wonderful, new centre in our community.”

NSW and Victoria have a long-standing agreement for cross-border health care. In 2020/2021, NSW will reimburse about $63 million to Victoria, on top of the $120 million NSW Health provides to Albury-Wodonga Health for NSW residents.

Planning is underway for the centre, which will provide access to haematologists, medical oncologists, nephrologists and radiation oncologists for more than 1,200 patients each year. Murrumbidgee Local Health District provides a cancer diagnosis service at Deniliquin Hospital, and there are plans to recruit and train staff in oncology.​