Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) will transition to a publicly operated cancer inpatient and day oncology model at the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre (AWRCC) on 1 July 2026.
The AWRCC, opened in 2016, has been operated under a public-private partnership with Ramsay Health Care (RHC), which currently delivers inpatient and day oncology services to public and private patients.
AWH will begin transition planning in collaboration with RHC to support continuity of care for patients and minimise disruption for staff and service partners, with RHC to continue delivering services during the transition period.
AWH said the transition aligns with its Strengthening Cancer Services Plan and aims to ensure continued access to cancer care for the community.
Dr John Elcock, chief medical officer at AWH, said the partnership with RHC has been instrumental in providing localised cancer care to the community.
“As we transition to a publicly operated service, we remain committed to working with our excellent local medical specialists and cancer care providers to maintain the highest standards of care and research while continuing to support our patients with the best possible treatment options,” he said.
AWH said it is working with the Department of Health, Safer Care Victoria, and other relevant partners to ensure the transition is safe, coordinated and consistent with current standards of care.
Victorian Minister of Health, Mary-Anne Thomas said the transition “marks an important step in strengthening cancer care for the Albury Wodonga community – ensuring services are publicly operated, accessible and sustainable for the future”.
AWH chief executive officer, Bill Appleby, said AWH’s goal is to continue the provision of high-quality cancer services for the community into the future.