More than five years in the planning, Federal Health Minister and Farrer MP Sussan Ley today officially opened the new $65 million Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.
According to Ms Ley the state-of-the art health facility is already delivering high level care for regional cancer patients, providing the same standard of treatment and services available in metropolitan Sydney or Melbourne.
“This dynamic local facility has been delivered by public funding, but it only came about through the determination and drive of the wider Albury-Wodonga region; joined by the belief that rural and regional Australia also deserves the finest in modern health care.”
“More than two years after construction began and two months since opening its doors, this unwavering community support remains in many forms and through ongoing local fundraising, ensuring the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre will be the best it can possibly be.”
“The unique location of this facility on the NSW/Victorian border brings peace-of-mind for thousands of people from around the region when faced with the blight of cancer and its treatment.”
“As well as high quality patient care, it also reduces the financial cost of long distance travel and the emotional burden that can come by being separated from family”, Ms Ley said.
The Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre offers radiotherapy, medical oncology and chemotherapy services, together with a ‘wellness centre’ and dispensing pharmacy.
It features linear accelerators funded by the Victorian Government, multi-purpose consultation rooms for visiting specialists, modern research and digital health facilities, together with a clinical school operated locally by the University of New South Wales.
“As Minister for Health I want all Australians to have the best possible health outcomes.”
“The Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre is a great example of delivering the kind of services we deserve in regional Australia – a facility that will make a huge difference to the lives of many thousands of people well into the future”, Ms Ley concluded.
