Comprehensive Cancer Centre
7 April 2010
St John of God Hospital Bunbury to spearhead South West’s new
cancer centre precinct
St John of God Hospital Bunbury will build and
operate a comprehensive cancer centre precinct on the South West
Health Campus, resulting in greater choice, affordability and
access to cancer services for South West residents.
Federal and State Governments and
not-for-profit St John of God Hospital Bunbury will fund the
project valued at over $25 million. The two-storey,
1300m2 centre will accommodate expanded chemotherapy
services, cancer consultant suites, on-site breast screening, a
pharmacy, expanded cancer imaging and therapeutic services, as well
as research and teaching facilities.
Cancer services are predicted as a major area
of future need for the South West health system due to the region’s
growing and ageing population: as a popular retirement
destination, the South West has more residents aged 50+ than the
broader state population.
St John of God Hospital Bunbury’s Chief
Executive Officer, Mr Mark Grime, said: “Following the
Government’s announcement of the new South West Radiation Oncology
Services, due to open in 2011, it became clear that this service
could not be accommodated within existing facilities and that gaps
would still exist in cancer services.”
“Having been heavily involved in extensive
consultations with a broad range of stakeholders and the
development of the final blueprint for the cancer centre precinct,
we are confident in our ability to provide a comprehensive and
integrated cancer service and ensure the best possible treatment
and outcomes for our community,” he added.
“Regional patients and families often face the
real issue of travel and accommodation when receiving treatment
away from their home. St John of God’s proposal includes a
community-based, short term residential accommodation facility and
a regional transport service. These services will be available to
patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy”, Mr Grime
said.
This development is consistent with St John of
God Hospital Bunbury’s commitment to work in collaboration with
others and its commitment to serve those whose life circumstances
lead them to experience some form of vulnerability, powerlessness
or marginalisation.
Better health outcomes can be expected as
patients benefit from services provided closer to home allowing
them access to all-important support networks. The only
Comprehensive Cancer Centre in regional Western Australia will also
attract new cancer and other specialist health professionals to the
South West providing further health services and care closer to
home.
For further information, please contact Mr
Mark Grime, Chief Executive Officer, on 08 9722 1621.
Background
The South West Health Campus was formed
when the Western Australian Government-owned Bunbury Hospital and
St John of God Health Care's private hospital co-located in
1999. The SWHC is the South West’s major health campus
providing specialist health services to the region. The
underpinning principles of the co-location included improving
regional patients’ access to health services and minimising the
unnecessary duplication of services. Role delineation
statements defined the respective organisation’s functions and
clinical services are endorsed through formal service level
agreements.
The campus includes the St John of God
Hospital Bunbury, multi-storey medical centre used for private
practice, visiting and resident medical specialist consulting,
diagnostic services including imaging (MRI, nuclear medicine,
radiology and ultrasound) and pathology, allied health and renal
dialysis and chemotherapy services.
St John of God Health Care is a
Catholic, not-for-profit health provider and the third largest
private health care provider in Australia. St John of God
Hospital Bunbury is one of its divisions and provides hospital and
community-based services including obstetric, surgical and medical
inpatient services, chemotherapy, renal dialysis, palliative care
(hospice and community), alcohol and other drug services,
indigenous health services, research (clinical trials), medical
(University of WA and Notre Dame Rural Clinical School and
Specialist Registrar), nursing and allied health training. The
hospital provides chemotherapy, hospice and community palliative
care, alcohol and other drug and renal dialysis services
to private insured patients and public patients on behalf of the
Western Australian Government.