A state-of-the-art radiation treatment centre for cancer will be available in Griffith in 2022.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Riverina Cancer Care has been awarded the tender to provide the specialist treatment, which will be delivered out of a brand new radiotherapy centre to be built at the Griffith Medical Specialist Centre.
The announcement means Griffith, Leeton and other MIA-based cancer sufferers will no longer need to travel to Wagga or beyond to receive the treatment.
Riverina Cancer Care chairman Tony Noun said the $20 million project to construct the centre and provide the "state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment" will take 12 to 18 months.
"This is an opportunity ... to receive a radiation oncology service that is equal to or better than what you would get anywhere in the world," Mr Noun said.
"We've always held the belief the best cancer care is local, close to home ... it's really difficult when [cancer-sufferers] have to drive to Wagga, whereas now they will be able to just come here and go home."
Mr Noun said the service would be bulk-billable, meaning patients will not have to pay out of pocket to receive the treatment.
He said the planning and construction process would begin in a month's time if all goes to plan.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley made the announcement on Friday, which delivers on promises she made in 2019 ahead of the last election.
She announced the Federal Government would be committing $5 million to the construction of the centre.
"This was a key commitment of mine before the last election," Ms Ley said.
"It came from my own experience as health minister when I saw too many, as I would describe 'not the latest technology' providing cancer care in regional Australia.
"From that we as a government had a program that said we're going to look for key locations in rural and regional australia and we'll provide them with the best possible equipment."
Ms Ley said she was "so thrilled" to deliver on that promise.
The announcement has been welcomed by local cancer support groups who have been lobbying for a Griffith-based radiotherapy service.
CanAssist president Olga Forner said she was "elated" when she found out it would be coming.
"I'm so excited ... I just know how much it will benefit the community ... we know how well the patients will respond to this," Mrs Forner said.
Radiotherapy treatment uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
It has been heralded as a game-changer in cancer treatment.
Monty Jacka
Monty is a journalist at The Daily Advertiser in Wagga. He can be reached at m.jacka@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Monty is a journalist at The Daily Advertiser in Wagga. He can be reached at m.jacka@austcommunitymedia.com.au
