The Morrison Government will provide $375 million to create a new landmark cancer facility in Perth that will transform care and support for Western Australians, saving thousands of lives.
The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre proposed by the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (the Perkins), will include 10 operating theatres, intensive care units, hundreds of overnight rooms, extensive cancer treatment facilities and onsite cancer research.
The state-of-the-art facility, which will be located at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre Campus (QEII), will be based on the successful Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, focusing on treating all cancer types.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre would immeasurably change the lives of Western Australians living with cancer and allow them to receive world class treatment in the West.
“The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre will improve the lives of thousands of Western Australians for the better, saving lives and providing specialist care and treatment to improve quality of life,” the Prime Minister said.
“Cancer reaches into the homes of almost every Australian and most of us know a relative, friend or family member who has cancer or are living with it and that’s why high quality specialist care is so important.
“And it’s why we’re backing in this transformational cancer facility to not only provide better care but to also deliver hope for so many Western Australians and their families dealing with this devastating disease.
“This facility will change lives and give West Australians the opportunity to have so many more precious life moments together by helping patients beat cancer and extend their lives.
“It will also combine medical research and clinical trials in the same facility as cancer support services, giving West Australians the opportunity to access the newest treatments and care.
“This project is the dividend of a strong economy, providing us the opportunity to invest in life-saving cancer treatment meaning Western Australians won’t need to travel over east to get certain treatments.”
The Perkins sought $375 million in funding from the Federal Government, representing fifty per cent of the capital cost of construction.
The Perkins is hopeful construction can start as planned and their facility could be operational in 2026.
The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre will provide comprehensive cancer services in one facility, include diagnosis, treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy) and follow-up. It will include a gymnasium, massage therapy, music therapy, a wellness centre and more.
It will also integrate the Perkins’ world-class cancer research and clinical trial capacity, Linear Clinical Research, making it unique in WA, with the same site running clinical trials and treatment, providing access to the newest drugs.
Senator for Western Australian and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said like so many Western Australians her family had been touched by the loss of someone close to them.
“In November 2015 I lost my baby sister Joanna to a very rare form of cancer, Alveolar Soft Part Sarcomas (ASPS), after a courageous battle. The investment by the Morrison Government will radically change the journey for people living with cancer now and in the future,” Senator Cash said.
“The positive and lasting impact this funding boost will have on thousands of West Australian families cannot be understated.
“Given the size of our state, the treatment for cancer is often the worst part about the disease and families know all too well how hard it can be to organise, pay for and manage cancer treatment.
“With this investment we are providing the opportunity for improved chances of survival as well as better quality of life for cancer patients. This is something that no one can put dollar value on.
“Only the Morrison Government can be trusted to manage the nation’s finances so that we can deliver this level of support for cancer patients and their families in Western Australia.”
Minister for Health Greg Hunt said the cancer facility would be life changing for West Australians and their families.
“The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre will ensure that West Aussies with cancer can access the best treatment, care and support they need right here in their own home state,” Minister Hunt said.
“Today’s announcement in WA builds on the significant investments our Government continues to make into cancer research, treatment and support, like Genomics Australia, which once established will deliver precision medicine and treatments for Australians with cancer through treatment centres like the WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre.”
There are more than 50,000 Western Australians living with cancer and cancer has a large impact on the WA health system, accounting for more than 158,000 cancer related hospital admissions per year (14.4 per cent of total hospitalisations).
The planned facility would encompasses hundreds of new beds, comprising:
- 140 overnight and inpatient beds, 110 chemotherapy, medical and same day beds and chairs
- 10 operating theatres and an intensive care unit
- On site services including imaging, pharmacy, gymnasium, chemotherapy, medical oncology, haematology and radiation oncology, palliative care, Linear clinical trials (40 beds), day medical services, CAR T cell therapy suite, Perkins cancer laboratories, community wellness centre and provision for 350 parking bays
- The WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre would also focus on outreach programs into the rural and remote regions, including a special focus on cancer in Indigenous Australians
More than 500 jobs will be created in the construction phase, with the new facility also supporting Perkins’ teams who have more than 400 research and clinical trial staff.
According to the Cancer Institute NSW, access to a dedicated, expert and multidisciplinary cancer service through a comprehensive cancer centre has been found to lead to better health outcomes and a greater chance of survival for patients at 90 days following treatment.
This is due to a number factors, including a concentration of expertise, access to specialist nurses and supportive care, and the fact that research is carried out by the same clinicians who treat their patients, eliminating the gap between the laboratory and the clinic altogether.