WORK STARTS ON CANCER PATIENT AND CARER ACCOMMODATION

Monday, 25 June 2012 15:21

Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release

25 June 2012

Work Starts on Cancer Patient and Carer Accommodation

The Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, and the Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, has today welcomed the announcement that construction on the new accommodation for cancer patients and their carers at the Tamworth Health Services campus will begin this week.

The accommodation is being built as part of $41.7 million in NSW and Commonwealth Government funding for the North West Cancer Centre at Tamworth.

The accommodation building will provide 10 bedrooms with two single beds, a private ensuite and television in each, shared living spaces, including kitchen, dining room, lounge room, covered outdoor barbecue area and laundry, 11 dedicated parking spaces for patients and carers and a landscaped garden.

Mrs Skinner said the new facility will reduce the financial and physical burdens on rural cancer patients and their families who travel to Tamworth for cancer treatment.

"Many patients leave their homes and families to stay in Tamworth for weeks at a time while they receive cancer care," Mrs Skinner said.

"This accommodation will be a home away from home for patients and their carers, providing both shared and private facilities to make the stay comfortable for all guests.

"The new accommodation will also reduce the cost of staying away from home for care and will feature a booking service for patients."

The price of the accommodation per night will be $60, and will be fully refunded to patients who travel more than 100km to access healthcare, under the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS).

The price will contribute to the running costs of the facility, such as cleaning and laundering bed linen. HNE Health will not make a profit from the facility.

Mr Anderson said the accommodation will be built at the top of the hospital campus next to Banksia Mental Health Unit.

"The accommodation has been designed so more rooms and facilities can be added to cater to community need now and well into the future," Mr Anderson said.

"Construction of the North West Cancer Centre is on track to be complete later this year and be operational in 2013."

ENDS