Long-awaited Albany radiation oncology centre opened by Premier and Health Minister at Albany Health Campus

Albany’s radiation oncology centre was officially opened by the Premier and Health Minister last Friday. Mark McGowan and Amber-Jade Sanderson were joined at the opening by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens and Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie. The $13.1 million facility will allow cancer patients in the Great Southern to access lifesaving treatment in Albany instead of travelling hundreds of kilometres to Perth or Bunbury. Mr McGowan said he was proud to have delivered on his Government’s commitment. “Radiation oncology often requires multiple attendances over a period of time, so having this facility locally means cancer patients can remain close to family and friends through their time of need,” he said. GenesisCare has been awarded a 10-year contract to operate the facility and will work alongside clinicians from Albany Health Campus to deliver comprehensive treatment for local cancer patients close to home, loved ones and support networks. Ms Sanderson said the “state-of-the-art facility” would provide immediate benefits to patients. “The radiation oncology centre can provide treatment for cancers including prostate, breast, lung and colorectal cancers, as well as palliative treatments for symptom control,” she said. “As part of this project, we’ve also delivered an additional 70 car bays — something the community told us was much needed for the busy Albany Health Campus.” Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens described the centre as a “game-changer”. “A treatment that would have previously involved an 830km round trip to Perth or 670km round trip to Bunbury is now available right here in Albany,” she said. The project has been in the pipeline since 2017 when the Federal Government awarded $6.6m to GenesisCare to buy radiation oncology equipment for an Albany service. The State Government then pledged $13m in March 2019 to develop the facility at Albany Health Campus, bringing the total project cost to about $20m. O’Connor MHR Rick Wilson said he noted with great interest the opening of the centre after a number of delays. He said he had fought alongside Mary Williams for the facility to come to fruition for several years, but that extracting money for the project from the State Government had been “like pulling teeth”. “I congratulate Ms Williams and her supporters for the hard work they have put in over many years to get a radiation oncology service located in the Great Southern,” he said. “I know that today’s opening will be of great relief to them, and to the many people of the Great Southern who for too long have had to travel to either Bunbury or Perth to access such a vital healthcare service.” The centre welcomed its first patients on Monday, April 3.