Funding boost for Wimmera Cancer Centre

The Victorian Government has stepped in to guarantee the Wimmera Cancer Centre is built so that local patients will be able to access world-leading oncology care, close to home and when they need it.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy announced that Wimmera Healthcare Group would receive a further boost of $1.6 million from the Government’s Regional Health Infrastructure Fund, ensuring the project can go ahead.

The additional funding comes on top of the Government’s initial $1 million contribution to the project. This will see the project expanded beyond just a redevelopment of the Wimmera Healthcare Group’s oncology unit, to include renal dialysis services and palliative care accommodation.

The centre will include nine new day chemotherapy chairs, a wellness service, six renal dialysis chairs and modern accommodation facilities for palliative care.

Wimmera Healthcare Group’s oncology unit is set to treat 2,300 patients this year – cancer has the highest incidence of any disease in Wimmera Southern Mallee region and the demand for cancer services is growing.

The total cost of the project is $5.35 million with construction expected to start in November. Currently, local cancer patients have to travel to Ballarat for treatment, meaning long drives and time away from their families.