Patients are facing uncertainty regarding the future of the specialised pharmacy at the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre, which is set to transition to public operation on January 23, 2026. This change will see Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) take over the centre, but concerns have been raised about the management of the pharmacy services during this transition.
A letter from a group of senior doctors, obtained by the Border Mail, highlights significant worries about the lack of secured contracts and arrangements for the cancer centre’s pharmacy. One senior doctor, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed concerns over Ramsay Health potentially continuing its management of the pharmacy due to its profitability. “My understanding is Ramsay is happy to leave their pharmacy there because it runs a profit,” he stated on December 5.
The doctor further suggested that AWH might allow Ramsay Health to maintain control over the pharmacy because of the complexities involved in transitioning management. “You can’t move one operator in and one operator out and expect there to be a smooth transition,” he noted. According to him, it seems likely that the pharmacy will remain under Ramsay’s management.
So far, Ramsay Health has not publicly confirmed its ongoing role at the cancer centre. A representative stated, “It is our intention to continue to support the operation of pharmacy services at the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.” They added that the company is working with AWH to finalise the arrangement and will update the community as soon as further information is available.
AWH has been approached for clarification regarding whether Ramsay Health will continue operating the pharmacy and when this information will be communicated to patients. As of December 19, the AWH cancer services webpage lists the Border Cancer Hospital Dispensary, part of Ramsay Health Care, as the provider of all pharmacy services, including patient dispensing and clinical trial support.
Concerns about the transition have been echoed by Stan Stavros, director of Better Border Health. He believes that negotiations between Ramsay Health and AWH are still ongoing, just weeks before the critical transition date. “This is just another example of a flawed transition plan and smacks of decisions being made on the run,” he remarked. Stavros urged AWH to engage with the community, suggesting they should hold a forum for residents to ask questions and receive clear answers.
As the transition date approaches, uncertainty remains high, particularly regarding the continuity of specialised pharmacy services that are crucial for cancer patients in the region. The outcome will significantly impact patient care and the management of pharmacy services at the centre.
