Community
8 January, 2026
MP joins push for cancer centre at Bowral Hospital
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan has joined the push for a new cancer treatment and infusion centre at Bowral Hospital
Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan has joined the push for a new cancer treatment and infusion centre at Bowral Hospital and is encouraging local residents to sign a community petition.
Mrs Hannan said the Bowral and District Hospital provided a vital service and had recently been expanded and upgraded to a modern standard.
However, she said, the hospital was still lacking in “sufficient cancer treatment options”, forcing many patients to travel elsewhere.
“The insufficient facilities currently means that some patients undergoing treatment are sent out of the area to Liverpool and Campbelltown hospitals to receive their treatment, creating an additional burden for those who are already unwell,” Mrs Hannan said.
The petition calls on the NSW Legislative Assembly to support calls for a cancer and rare diseases centre at Bowral Hospital.
It says growth in the Wollondilly electorate is placing additional pressure on the service offered at Bowral, Camden and Campbelltown hospitals.
It also says Bowral Hospital “has both the space and scope within the precinct for a cancer and rare diseases centre”.
The petition – open until May 16 this year – has already been signed by almost 600 people.
Mrs Hannan said a new centre would provide “much needed cancer treatment chairs” in Bowral and would provide more cancer treatment options in the Southern Highlands.
She acknowledged the ‘tireless’ advocacy work already undertaken by community groups on the issue including Public Health First, the CWA Wollondilly Group, CanAssist Southern Highlands and Bowral-Mittagong Rotary.
President of the CWA Wollondilly Group Jennifer Woodwell said the Southern Highlands had experienced significant population growth since the COVID-19 pandemic and this growth was set to accelerate.
“Simultaneously, the dramatic expansion in South West Sydney particularly in Menangle Park, Wilton and the Western Sydney Airport corridor means our residents will be competing for oncology services at already stretched hospitals in Campbelltown and Liverpool,” she said.
Mrs Woodwell said residents were currently served by a small public/private clinic operating out of the Bowral Private Hospital, supported only part-time by oncologists from Campbelltown.
“Many are still travelling long distances for diagnosis and treatment, some over 90 minutes each way, placing immense physical, emotional and financial strain on patients and their families”.
Mrs Hannan has posted a video on Facebook urging local residents to sign the petition.
“When you’re sick, travelling for hours is a huge burden,” she said in the video.
She said a new cancer treatment centre would increase quality of life not only for cancer patients but for the ‘many’ people that care for them.
Some cancer treatment services are currently available through the Southern Highlands Private Hospital Cancer and Infusion Centre operated by Ramsay Health Care.
According to the hospital’s website these services are available to “anyone in the Southern Highland community either as privately insured or uninsured (public) patients through an agreement with the Sydney South West Area Health Service”.
The centre is described as a “leading oncology day care facility” primarily offering the administration of chemotherapy along with supportive care and administration.
Read More: Bowral, Southern Highlands