Victoria Invests $55 million For Cancer Centre At Ballarat Health Services
Cancer patients in Ballarat and surrounding areas will have access to even better quality treatment and support services in a new, state-of-the-art $55 million Regional Integrated Cancer Centre at Ballarat Health Services.
Visiting the hospital today with Federal Health and Ageing Minister Nicola Roxon, Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the new centre was an important part of Victoria’s $150 million Victorian Cancer Action Plan, and would benefit Ballarat patients and their families at every point of their cancer journey.
“The Brumby Labor Government is giving Victorians a better health system by building new hospitals and health services and hiring more doctors and nurses,” Mr Andrews said.
“This world-class cancer centre will bring together a range of important services under the one roof and expand and enhance radiotherapy services for patients throughout the Grampians.
“It will offer a new regional radiation oncology service at Ballarat Hospital and integrate medical oncology, supportive care and other key services, building on the strong partnership between Ballarat Austin Radiation Oncology Cancer Centre and Ballarat Health Services.
“This means fewer patients will have to travel to Melbourne for their treatments, giving them access to important care closer to home, closer to their family and friends.
“We’re increasing capacity for more than 800 additional patients to receive their care locally, and funding an extra 8000 chemotherapy treatments in the area.
“Together with the state’s best cancer experts, the Victorian Government developed and funded a $150 million cancer action plan for Victoria that aims to increase cancer survival rates across the state and save a further 2000 lives.
“Giving our dedicated clinicians and health staff the latest equipment and new facilities helps them deliver even better care to the approximately 70 Victorians given a cancer diagnosis every day.
“Our commitment is even more important in regional and rural Victoria, and this new funding boost is part of the continuing effort to improve cancer survival rates among country Victorians.”
The Brumby Labor Government is investing $13 million in the new centre with the Commonwealth Government contributing the remaining $42 million in capital costs. The project is expected to create more than 230 jobs.
The Ballarat Integrated Regional Cancer Centre will house:
- six consulting rooms dedicated to radiation oncology;
- sixteen day oncology chairs;
- oncology consulting rooms;
- a satellite pharmacy;
- a Wellness Centre ;
- clinical trials and research; and
- education services.
“This new centre builds on the Brumby Labor Government’s ongoing support for health services in Ballarat and surrounding areas,” Mr Andrews said.
“We provided $20 million in last year’s State Budget for a dedicated Coronary Catheterisation Laboratory and six day beds at Ballarat Hospital – an important boost given the growing number of people with heart disease.
“Just days later in Ballarat, Premier John Brumby announced a small but important $700,000 boost to support local radiation therapy services, and our Government will continue to fund the important healthcare that is offered here and in other parts of the state.
“With support from the Commonwealth – today’s announcement and our joint $1 billion development of the Parkville Comprehensive Cancer Centre are great examples of the partnership between governments – we can keep improving care and increasing access to vital services for all patients, regardless of where they live.”
Ballarat MPs Karen Overington and Geoff Howard welcomed news of the latest investment.
“Ballarat families know from first-hand experience – as does my family – that the wonderful staff here provide top-rate care to patients and support for their loved ones,” Mrs Overington said.
“This new cancer centre will bring all the services together under one roof and expand what’s available to even more patients, so today is an important day for our community.”
Mr Howard said the $55 million facility would give patients, their families and staff a better environment for treatment, recovery and support services.
“The care offered here is the best available and now we’ll have the physical infrastructure – comfortable new surroundings and dedicated facilities – to match,” he said.
“This investment and the Brumby Government’s ongoing support for local health services means families can get the very best healthcare close to home.”
Topics: 2010, affordable health care, Australia, Ballarat, Ballarat Austin Radiation Oncology Cancer Centre, Ballarat Health Services, Ballarat Hospital, Brumby Labor Government, cancer, clinical trials, Coronary Catheterisation Laboratory, Daniel Andrews, doctors, economic development, economic growth, Economy, education, employment, Geoff Howard, Governance, government, Grampians, health care, Health Care, health system, heart disease, hospitals, jobs, Karen Overington, medical oncology, monitor, news, Nicola Roxon, nurses, quality health care, radiotherapy services, recovery, Regional Integrated Cancer Centre, support services, treatment, Victoria, Victorian Cancer Action Plan
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