TENDER AWARDED FOR CANCER CENTRE

Monday, 17 October 2011 13:28

Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release

17 October 2011 

TENDER AWARDED FOR CANCER CENTRE

The Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, and the Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, today announced Richard Crookes Construction has been awarded the tender for the construction of the new $41 million New England North West Regional Cancer Centre at Tamworth.

Mrs Skinner said the new centre would ensure cancer patients living in northern NSW could access treatment closer to home.

“The regional cancer centre is a large investment in the treatment of cancer patients and this centre is a very positive development for patients and hospital staff alike because ee understand that travelling to Sydney or Newcastle for radiotherapy services can be onerous for patients already under significant stress,” she said.

Mrs Skinner said the Tamworth region would benefit from a new linear accelerator for radiation therapy, as well as major radiotherapy planning equipment, including a new computed tomography scanner.

“This state-of-the-art centre means that cancer patients and their families can access services closer to home,” Mrs Skinner said.

“Chemotherapy services will also be expanded at Tamworth and Armidale,” she said.

Mr Anderson said it was exciting that the region would be home to first class cancer care.

“Our hospital needs to be well-resourced and equipped to provide the best possible care for patients and this investment will allow staff to maintain a high level of service for our community.”

Work on stage one of the new centre is scheduled to begin next month.

ENDS