NT Radiation Oncology Moves One Step Closer, Australia

Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 22 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PST

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The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have reached another key milestone in the development of the Radiation Oncology Unit (ROU) with the announcement of Royal Adelaide Hospital as the preferred provider.

Royal Adelaide is a highly experienced and respected provider of radiation oncology services in Australia. They have been providing outreach specialist services to the NT for many years and have clearly demonstrated their commitment to Territorians.

Professor Michael Penniment and his team are well-known to Territorians and are looking forward to developing a high quality service in Darwin.

The Rudd Government has been working with the Northern Territory Government to ensure the radiation oncology unit becomes a reality for the people of the Northern Territory.

In June the Rudd Government committed an additional $6 million to the project, bringing the total Commonwealth contribution to $19 million.

The Rudd Government also announced in June its decision to hand over the first $5.7 million to ensure work on the design of the unit could commence immediately. The Royal Adelaide Hospital has agreed to provide expert advice into the design of the building and to ensure it meets the specialised needs of the service as part of an interim service agreement.

The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon said, "The contribution by the Rudd Government will go towards constructing two bunkers, a treatment area for patients and clinic facilities for patient consultation and examination at the Royal Darwin Hospital site.

"The Government will also work with the Royal Adelaide Hospital towards provision of Medicare Benefits for services once the facility is up and running, subject to the provider satisfying legislative requirements," said Ms Roxon.

The Northern Territory Health Minister, Dr Chris Burns said he was pleased the Royal Adelaide Hospital had agreed to provide these services to Territorians.

Dr Burns said, "Under the interim agreement, the Royal Adelaide Hospital will be responsible for ordering the linear accelerator machines and the other specialised equipment required for the facility.

The final agreement will be signed in August for the service to be provided over the next 10 years.

"Early works to prepare the site are commencing today and construction will commence by late 2008 on the facility."

The facility will have an initial capacity to treat 400 patients per year.

http://www.health.gov.au