Better facilities for Mid West cancer patients

A new state-of-the-art cancer centre in Geraldton will enable patients in the Mid West to receive vital chemotherapy services closer to home. 

Member for Durack Melissa Price today welcomed the opening of the Midwest Cancer Centre, which was constructed with $4.1 million in federal funding. 

The new centre has six chemotherapy treatment chairs and one patient bed, as well as facilities for use by breast cancer nurses. The project also includes a hostel for patients and families with seven double bedrooms. 

Ms Price said the ageing population in the Mid West meant that the number of cancer cases was continuing to rise. 

“Cancer is something that affects us all, directly or indirectly,” Ms Price said. 

“Investing in facilities and services in regional areas like Geraldton is important for individuals, families and communities and I’m proud to be a part of a Government which has delivered this facility. 

“A cancer diagnosis is hard enough on patients and their families. This new facility will allow many local patients to get the treatment they need close to home, without the added burden and cost of having to travel to the city.” 

Minister for Health Sussan Ley said tetter health services in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia are an absolute priority of the Turnbull Government’s health reform agenda. 

“This new cancer treatment centre will make a huge difference to people in the Midwest who are diagnosed with cancer and require chemotherapy,” Minister Ley said. 

“This cancer centre is a great example of delivering the kind of services that regional Australia deserves.” 

The Australian Government also provided $1.2 million for consulting rooms and offices for the new Garburdiny Renal Centre adjacent to the cancer centre. The renal centre has been operating since September. 

The Geraldton Cancer Centre is one of five new cancer centres and patient accommodation projects funded by the Australian Government with a total of $22.3 million. The other centres are in Albany, Narrogin, Kalgoorlie and Northam. 

“These centres will be used as the base to provide holistic, multi-disciplinary cancer services for patients in rural Western Australia, linked closely to major cancer centres in Perth and to each other,” Ms Ley said.