In its first month, the South West Regional Cancer Centre has provided 37 patients with radiotherapy services they would have otherwise had to travel to access
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Another ten people will begin their treatment at the Warrnambool centre on Monday.
Head of radiotherapy services Liam Jukes said people from Portland, Hamilton, Camperdown and Mount Gambier appreciated having a service closer to home.
“Patients are loving the service. We’re having patients from all over the region which is exciting to see,” Mr Jukes said.
He said staff had received comments about the centre being a welcoming environment.
“There was a number of these patients who would have chosen not to have radiotherapy treatment if it wasn’t in Warrnambool.
He said patients liked the integration of services and being able to see all specialists at the one time.
Peter’s Project founder Vicki Jellie has received lots of positive feedback from patients who would have otherwise chosen not to have treatment.
“They’re so grateful it’s here in Warrnambool than to have to travel to have treatment,” Ms Jellie said.
South West Healthcare’s chemotherapy service will move into the new building early September.
South West Oncology’s Associate Professor Ian Collins said the clinic was seeing a similar number of patients since moving to the centre, which was expected.
“All the feedback is quite positive, Associate Professor Collins said. Patients are quite happy with it and the staff are too. Once chemo is over here it will be better again. It will make a big difference.”
The South West Regional Cancer Centre was officially opened on July 16.
Epworth Healthcare manages the centre and its radiotherapy services on behalf of the state of Victoria. South West Healthcare provides the chemotherapy services and South West Oncology delivers patient care and cancer services.
The Peter’s Project Community Support Centre is a non-clinical space for families, providing cooking and computer facilities and support services.