New $20m cancer centre opens in South West Sydney
A new $20 million facility, Cancer Care Macarthur, is set to open in Campbelltown, offering radiation oncology, medical oncology, haematology, oncology pharmacy, allied health, a multidisciplinary team and support services.
Developed by Cancer Care Associates, the 1100 m2 facility — officially opening on Tuesday, 27 August — also offers the latest treatments in systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy approaches, including the Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccine.
The new centre will complement and work with existing cancer treatment providers in Campbelltown, said Cancer Care Associates CEO Damien Williams.
“Cancer Care Macarthur offers South West Sydney cancer patients affordable, comprehensive and quick access to consultations and treatment in state-of-the-art facilities,” he said.
“Patients will have rapid access to an appointment with our specialists within days of the referral received and treatment commencing very shortly after consultation.
“Quick access to care achieves the best outcomes for patients, together with alleviating pressure on the public hospital systems. In addition to treatment, the Cancer Care Macarthur Centre is committed to advancing cancer research.”
Supported by the Cancer Care Foundation, the new facility has already been approved for three clinical trials so far. The trials will be led by Dr Raj Jagavkar, Director of Cancer Care Macarthur and Senior Radiation Oncologist; Dr Mahmood Alam, Medical Oncology; and Research Director Professor Paul de Souza.
“The foundation has two goals. One is to support patients that fall between the gaps — whether that’s financially, difficulty with medical bills or having to travel further afield for treatment,” Jagavkar said.
The facility offers experimental drugs which are still under development and not yet commercially available, Alam added. “This unique opportunity is provided because of our interest in clinical trials, the combination of skills and infrastructure we have, and our dedicated team,” he said.
Treatment for medical oncology can be accessed via private health insurance and the cost for radiation therapy is significantly supported by Medicare and the Safety Net Threshold.
Cancer Care Macarthur is supported by the Commonwealth via the Radiation Oncology Health Program Grant scheme, ensuring bulk billing is available for pension card holders and healthcare card holders. Importantly, the centre ensures those with any financial concerns have limited or no out-of-pocket expenses.
Understanding the emotional and psychological toll of cancer, the facility offers a wide range of support services for both patients and their families. These include counselling, support groups, nutritional advice, and wellness programs designed to help patients cope with the challenges of their diagnosis and treatment.
De Souza said the centre has a community focus and will be leading a number of educational forums consistently across all primary physicians, specialists and medical streams in the region.
“On-the-ground connection is critical in South West Sydney ... and we are dedicated to fostering shared care and survivorship,” he said.
“We also offer fast-track services for patients, their families or providers who just want a quick second opinion without any obligations. We also offer this for those who require an urgent start to treatment if the referral processes elsewhere seem too slow, or [who] want to check out our clinical trial options.
“We will be collaborating and connecting with our colleagues and our patients’ specialists and GPs for best treatment options and outcomes.”
Research shows rural cancer patients, in comparison with their urban counterparts, face poor treatment outcomes including poor physical health, low quality of life and unmet supportive care needs, and experience a multitude of barriers to accessing local health services and psychosocial support.
“This marks a pivotal milestone in our commitment to the local community and providing accessible, affordable and comprehensive cancer care in the heart of the Macarthur region,” Williams said.
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