$16.2 Million for New and Enhanced Regional Cancer Services in Toowoomba
The Australian Government will invest $16.2 million to improve services to cancer patients in Toowoomba and South-West Queensland as part of its $560 million Regional Cancer Centres initiative.
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Previous MinistersJoint Release
The Hon Justine Elliot MP
Minister for Ageing
The Hon Kerry Shine MP
Member for Toowoomba North
8 April 2010The Rudd Government will invest $16.2 million to improve services to cancer patients in Toowoomba and South-West Queensland as part of its $560 million Regional Cancer Centres initiative, Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot announced today.
Funding will be split across two projects in Toowoomba.
Toowoomba Hospital will be provided with $9.55 million to expand medical oncology services and increase patient access to affordable cancer care in the region.
An existing building at Toowoomba Hospital will be refurbished to provide a 24 bed ward for multi-day inpatient care. The inpatient ward will include 12 beds to support medical oncology and haematology services and 12 beds for the provision of palliative care.
In addition the Toowoomba Oncology Day Unit will be expanded to provide four additional chemotherapy chairs.
The Queensland Government will provide $33.11 million over four years to run these services.
A further $6.69 million will be provided to St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital to expand the cancer service capability at the hospital to expand medical oncology treatment facilities to accommodate an additional eight chemotherapy chairs and two chemotherapy beds, construct a third radiation bunker and upgrade the linear accelerator.
The Rudd Government’s investment will greatly enhance cancer services for the region and will allow more rural and regional Australians to have better access to essential cancer services closer to home and to deal more effectively with cancer treatment challenges.
The centres will also improve facilities to allow the greater participation of rural and regional patients in clinical trials.
“Together, these projects will help improve cancer services and care for the people of Toowoomba and the surrounding region.
“Today’s announcement will mean these new facilities will provide an estimated additional 7,000 chemotherapy treatments per year and radiotherapy for an estimated additional 414 patients per year when fully operational,” Minister Elliot said.
Member for Toowoomba North, Kerry Shine MP, said: “Recent Queensland investment in the Toowoomba Hospital has established a purpose built area where cancer specialists, surgeons, radiotherapists and pathologists can review patients and devise individual treatment plans and this additional investment will see even greater benefits to local patients.”
“This investment will provide patients in Toowoomba and surrounds with greater access to cancer care services.
“Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital will also play a crucial role in the project, supporting Toowoomba Hospital with visiting specialists and via the Government’s telehealth initiative” he added.
“Investment in regional cancer centres such as the one in Toowoomba Hospital and the one in St Andrew’s Hospital are part of the Rudd Government’s plan to build a world-class cancer care system in Australia,” Minister Elliot said.
A network of regional cancer centres that expands services and links with specialised cancer centres in metropolitan areas will better support and service all Australians and help close the gap in cancer outcomes between urban and regional Australians.
Today’s announcement shows what can be achieved when the Federal and State Governments work together to enhance health services across the country to improve health care for patients.
Mr Shine added: “The Queensland Government is continuing to work with the Federal Government to ensure the best outcomes for Queensland patients.”
Under the National Health and Hospital plan, the Rudd Government would take on 60 per cent of funding for capital upgrades for hospitals.
The Rudd Government’s plan will see health services funded nationally and run locally through local hospital networks to deliver better outcomes for local communities.
For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280
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