VCC FIRST TO ANNOUCE! Largest Private Cancer Facility to Open in Perth

Leading national private health care provider St John of God Health Care (SJGHC) will be establishing a multi-disciplinary centre of excellence for cancer care at its Subiaco campus. At an estimated cost of $30 million, the Comprehensive Cancer Centre at SJGHC Subiaco is planned to open in April 2006, the project subject to Commonwealth approval. This builds on from the previous announcement by the State Government of the plans to create a dedicated state service working from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

The Comprehensive Cancer Centre is the first of its kind in the private sector nationally, providing a holistic integrated approach to cancer treatment in the one facility.CEO of SJGHC Subiaco Dr Neale Fong said, ‘These facilities coupled with close working partnerships with a radiation oncology provider and cancer specialists will ensure that the highest quality health care is delivered.’The 4-storey building will contain clinical treatment areas, including radiation therapy bunkers, expanded day chemotherapy and outpatient treatment areas, and a dedicated thirty-bed oncology ward with expanded palliative care facilities for inpatients. The Centre will also accommodate the SJG Clinical Institute for Education and Research, facilitating our growing participation in clinical trials and cancer research with national and international alliances.Currently in WA there is an urgent need for increased cancer treatment and radiotherapy services, with waiting times at unacceptable limits.’The provision of radiotherapy treatment through the Comprehensive Cancer Centre at SJGHC Subiaco will be a collaborative approach with its public sector counterpart to alleviate these patient waiting lists both in the private and public sector,’ said Mr Fong.The state of the art facilities and services of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre will consolidate and expand the existing cancer services provided at SJGHC Subiaco, which include a 30 bed in patient ward, day chemotherapy unit, melanoma advisory service and oncology consulting suites. Construction of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre is just one of the exciting new developments at SJGHC Subiaco. The current developments are the most expansive of any private hospital in the nation.Commencing in April 2004, the Subiaco hospital site will undergo an entire ward refurbishment, construction of a multi-storey car park, new entrance and Chapel. An Ambulatory Care Centre building will also be constructed, housing 5 new operating theatres, new day surgery and endoscopy unit and forty-five stage two recovery beds.At the conclusion of the redevelopment project early 2007, SJGHC Subiaco would have committed over $100 million towards facility and service upgrades to extend its mission of bringing healing and hope to the community.Dr Fong said that the redevelopment project, including the Comprehensive Cancer Centre would be the largest private hospital facility in the nation, something all of WA should be proud of.Media ContactMs Rebecca StaffenMarketing Manager – St John of God Health Care SubiacoMobile: 0411 144 870Fax: (08) 9381 7180Email: rebecca.steffen@sjog.org.auBackground information:Cancer is the leading cause of death in our community accounting for 27% of all Australian deaths. Just over 35,000 Australians die of cancer each year – about 800 per week. This is followed by heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease and accidents.Cancer accounts for 25% of all deaths in Western Australia (WA), One in six men and one in ten women in WA will die from cancer before the age of 75 years.The most common cancers in males were prostrate cancer (25%), colorectal cancer (14%), lung cancer (13%), and melanoma (12%). The most common cancers in females were breast cancer (30%) followed by colorectal cancer (13%) and melanoma (10%).(Cancer and Incidence Mortality in Western Australia, 2001 Department of Health)Below: From left to right, Dr David Joseph, Dr Neale Fong and Minister Jim McGinty .