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Treatment Close To Home For Warrnambool Cancer Patients

02 December 2016

Up to 400 patients from Warrnambool and the South West will now be able to receive radiotherapy treatment close to home with the opening of the new South West Regional Cancer Centre.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today officially opened the $30 million world-class Cancer Centre, which was delivered through a partnership between the Victorian Government, Commonwealth Government and local fundraising initiative Peter’s Project.

The Victorian Government contributed $15 million to the construction of the centre, with the Commonwealth Government providing $10 million and Peter’s Project contributing $5 million.

Previously, people living in Portland, Warrnambool or Hamilton had to travel up to 300 kilometres to receive radiotherapy at Geelong or Ballarat.

Bringing radiotherapy services closer to people living in Victoria’s South West means more people are able to access them, closer to their homes, families and communities.

The new facility is an integrated cancer centre, delivering radiotherapy services and day chemotherapy, as well as consulting and support for patients and family members. It includes two radiotherapy bunkers, a linear accelerator, CT scanner, 11 day chemotherapy beds, private consulting rooms and a wellness centre.

Epworth Healthcare, which built the facility, is managing the centre and providing the radiotherapy service under a 10 year agreement with the Victorian Government. Chemotherapy treatment will continue to be provided by South West Healthcare.

Under this arrangement Epworth radiation oncologists will provide outreach consultation services to surrounding areas including Camperdown, Hamilton and Portland. The Peter’s Project fundraising has gone towards a wellness centre in the new building that will provide educational and support services to patients and their families.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“We’re putting people first by making sure cancer patients in regional communities like Warrnambool have access to the best possible range of health services close to home.”

“The opening of the Centre is a tribute to the drive and determination of the local community to have treatment available for cancer patients close to where they live – and we’re proud to support them.”

Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney

“The new Centre will mean local cancer patients will now be able to get the treatment they need, close to home, without the added burden of having to travel hundreds of kilometres to Ballarat or Geelong.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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