| Wednesday 29 November 2000
WORK BEGINS ON BENDIGO CANCER TREATMENT SITE
Preliminary construction work has commenced on the new radiotherapy unit at the Bendigo Base Hospital, the Health Minister, John Thwaites announced today.
Visiting the site, Mr Thwaites said the first phase of the project - the construction of a carpark for radiotherapy patients - was now underway.
“Construction of the new radiotherapy unit will occur in three stages,” he said.
“The first stage involves building the carpark, followed by preliminary works on the radiotherapy site itself, and finally construction of the main building for the radiotherapy unit.
“Early site works for the radiotherapy unit are due to start next month and construction of the building is due to start in February. The new unit is expected to begin operating by April 2002.
“It is wonderful to see the start of this project which will provide radiotherapy services to people living in the Bendigo region.
“It is of great importance to the people of rural Victoria to have access to radiotherapy cancer treatment without having to travel to Melbourne.”
Mr Thwaites said the Bracks Government has provided $10 million to establish the new radiotherapy unit at Bendigo as part of a national trial.
“Single-machine radiotherapy units are being established in Bendigo, Ballarat and the Latrobe Valley as part of a national trial,” he said.
“The Bendigo radiotherapy unit will consist of two radiotherapy bunkers and a single radiotherapy machine.
“The radiotherapy service will be operated by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute.
“The Victorian Government and the Commonwealth will provide the ongoing running and operating costs for the unit estimated at $3 million per year.”
Media Release Attachment - RadioBendigo.doc [Word, 43008 Bytes]
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