Jillian Skinner/Pru Goward/Gabrielle Upton med rel: Green light for Stage 2 of world-class cancer care and research centre at Randwick

The green light has been given to Stage 2 of the $79.8 million Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre (NCCC) and Australian Advanced Treatment Centre (AATC) at Prince of Wales Hospital, Planning Minister Pru Goward and Health Minister Jillian Skinner announced today.

Ms Goward and Mrs Skinner were joined at the Prince of Wales Hospital site by Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton.

The Department of Planning and Environment granted planning approval to Stage 2 after Health Infrastructure put in place additional measures to mitigate potential impacts on surrounding heritage buildings, car parking and noise, which were raised during the public exhibition phase.

“Today’s planning green light ensures this tremendous project will become a reality, integrating the best modern cancer treatments available with world-class research,” Ms Goward said.

Mrs Skinner, who is also Minister for Medical Research, said construction of the NCCC and AATC would bring hope to many.

“As well as delivering innovative treatment and care to patients suffering cancer and blood disorders, the NCCC and AATC will create an environment in which some of our brightest minds will undertake the vital research needed to unlock the secrets of these diseases,” Mrs Skinner said.

The NCCC will bring together a range of ambulatory, outpatient and radiotherapy services currently provided across eight sites on the Randwick Hospital Campus.

The AATC – a facility of the University of New South Wales – will promote NSW as a premier location for clinical trials and provide an opportunity for fast-tracking new medical discoveries.

Stage 1 of the project – which will be physically linked to Prince of Wales Hospital – will include:
· four radiotherapy bunkers required for three linear accelerators to treat patients plus one for research

· radiation treatment facilities for adolescents and children

· a patient waiting area

· courtyard

· treatment review rooms

· combined orthovoltage/brachytherapy room

Stage 1 will be completed in the second half of this year.

Stage 2 of the project will include:
· state-wide services such as youth cancer services, cancer genetics and thalassaemia unit
· gynaecological cancer unit from Royal Hospital for Women
· ambulatory care
· palliative care services
· the state’s first facility for early phase clinical trials
· clinical research facilities for all drugs, tests and devices

Stage 2 of the NCCC and AATC project is scheduled for completion in 2016.

Ms Upton said: “This project underscores the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering state-of-the-art care to those living with and recovering from cancer.”

The $79.8 million project comprises funding from the NSW Government ($41.5M), Commonwealth Government ($3.5M), University of New South Wales ($11M), Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation ($10.7M), Prince of Wales Hospital’s Cancer Services ($7.1M) and Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation ($0.3M).

Funding for the linear accelerator replacements will be from the Health Program Grants and Prince of Wales Hospital’s Cancer Services Funds ($5.7M).