Government Commits to Cancer Care Service in Geelong
$26.07 million has been committed by the Australian Government towards an integrated Cancer Care Service that would benefit the residents of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.
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Joint Release
The Hon Wayne Swan MP
Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing
Richard Marles MP
Member for Corio
Darren Cheeseman MP
Member for Corangamite
6 May 2011The Gillard Government today announced that it would contribute $26.07 million towards an integrated Cancer Care Service that would benefit the residents of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.
The Commonwealth selected this project for funding after an application from Barwon Health, and will now be entering discussions with Barwon Health and the Victorian State Government about their contribution to the project.
Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan said this project will greatly improve access to quality health care, while also stimulating the local Geelong economy and creating jobs.
“Finding room in this very responsible Budget for expanded health services has been difficult, but shows what a high priority it is for the Gillard Government,’’ Mr Swan said.
Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon said the new service would provide quality, comprehensive care for cancer patients from Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.
“Reducing people’s chance of getting cancer and, treating it earlier and more effectively, are key priorities for the Gillard Government through national health reform,” said Ms Roxon.
“The Gillard Government is determined to ensure that Australians receive world-class cancer care, wherever they live.”
Ms Roxon said the hub of the new cancer service in Geelong would include a new linear accelerator for radiation therapy, a new 32-bed oncology ward, a 24-bed palliative care ward, and 20 new accommodation units.
“There will also be supported accommodation units for day oncology patients in Warrnambool, additional consulting suites for use by cancer specialists in Hamilton; and a day unit for chemotherapy in Portland as part of this project,” Ms Roxon said.
Member for Corio Richard Marles said for the first time local cancer patients would benefit from a coordination between the various health services that they needed, as well as integration of cancer and palliative care facilities.
“These new services and accommodation units will make a great difference to people from the Geelong and Barwon South West regions who are fighting cancer,” Mr Marles said.
“They will now be able to access quality cancer care services in their own region instead of being forced to travel long distances. The accommodation units will be particularly helpful to people living in towns or remote areas, and will reduce the cost and stress associated with cancer treatment,” said Mr Cheeseman.
Barwon Health applied for $26 million for the new cancer service from the Health and Hospitals Fund (HHF) Regional Priority Round.
Ms Roxon said the application was assessed by the independent HHF Advisory Board and found eligible.
“This major project and many others around Australia being funded from the HHF’s Regional Priority Round will help regional hospitals and health services to cope with an expected increase in demand for services over coming years,” Ms Roxon said.
For media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220
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