HACSU members at the Royal Hobart Hospital's Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) will walk off the job for 30 minutes today over the government's plan to cut jobs in the unit by 58%.
The CTU often provides the last option for treatment for Tasmanians with rare and advanced cancers, helping patients access new and experimental treatments through clinical trials and conducting research on a variety of cancer types, including both solid tumours and blood cancers.
"These cuts are not just numbers on a page, they are lives on the line. These reductions put patient safety at risk and limit access to potentially life-extending treatments," says HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore.
"Every clinical trial not only offers hope for those currently fighting cancer but also builds the foundation for breakthroughs that could save countless lives. Reducing the number of staff in the CTU compromises the future of cancer treatment in Tasmania.
"Protecting these positions is not just a matter of staffing, it is a matter of safeguarding hope, innovation, and support for people facing cancer," he added.
HACSU is calling on the government to immediately scrap their plan to cut staff and work more collaboratively with the dedicated professionals at the CTU to ensure they can continue their vital research while delivering lifesaving care to Tasmanians.