Local’s battling cancer along the Mornington Peninsula will soon have access to closer and improved services following a $12.6 million investment by the Liberal National Government.
$10 million in federal funding will boost cancer support services delivered by The Bays Healthcare Group, and improve community health access with the construction of a new Comprehensive Cancer Centre at The Bays Hospital in Mornington.
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said the investment would greatly improve local health outcomes for residents of the Mornington Peninsula.
“The Bays Hospital is not simply our local hospital, but a pillar of the community on the Peninsula,” Minister Hunt said.
“Our Government is committed to supporting The Bays to provide world class cancer treatment for the local community.”
“This builds on our announcement last week that Rosebud Hospital would be part of the Liberal National Government’s $24.6 million investment for trials to treat cancer and rare diseases closer to home,” Minister Hunt said.
In 2016, 17,470 people residing in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula areas were treated for a cancer or haematology diagnosis. By 2032, that number is expected to increase to 29,029.
The new cancer facility will provide services such as –
- Radiation Oncology Service
- Consulting areas
- Education and meeting space for community and General Practitioners
- Consultation and education space for Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer Support Nurses
- Day Infusion Centre
- Research facilities
- 20-30 bed inpatient facility
- Partnerships in training
Chief Executive Officer of The Bays Healthcare Group, Elena Allen welcomed the funding and said the project is a step closer to becoming a reality.
“International best practice in cancer therapy recognises that multi-disciplinary team management of these patients gains the best results and provides patients with the best psychological support.”
“Ideally all therapy should be performed in a health service where surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists work together with nurses, and allied health providers to provide a comprehensive cancer service.”
“Patients become familiar with the team and the environment, and the team is then better able to monitor the overall wellbeing of the patient.”
“The opening of The Bays Hospital Day Infusion Service in 2016 took us one step closer to that ideal, today’s funding announcement makes this vision a reality.”
“Significantly, the new Centre will also open the possibility for the treatment of public patients for cancer services at The Bays following productive discussions with Peninsula Health,” Mrs Allen said.
A further $2.6 million in Government funding will be provided to the redevelopment of Alexandra Park Pavilion for rehabilitation services and new community-focused health and wellbeing programs.
The Council and Football Clubs will also contribute a similar amount for a full redevelopment of the current pavilion at Alexandra Park.
The project will deliver greater access to rehabilitation services provided by medical and health professionals of The Bays Healthcare and will include –
- Rehabilitation centre
- Promotion of healthy living, wellness and better lifestyle choices
- Access to orthopaedic surgeons, sports specialists and allied health professionals to keep active and maintain an active lifestyle
- Opportunities to partner with Peninsula Health in the provision of health and wellness programmes
- Increased community utilisation of the redeveloped facility.
The proposed services to be provided by The Bays at Alexandra Park are themed around wellness and healthy lifestyle promotion.
Alexandra Park Project’s Martin Scanlon said the announcement was a big win for the local community.
“We have been toiling away for nearly four years on raising community funds for the improvements of facilities at Alexandra Park in the centre of Mornington,” Mr Scanlon said.
“We met with Minister Hunt in the second half of 2018, he listened to our vision for Alexandra Park and really understood how much it means to the region.”
“We will now be able to build a facility that will be used by people of all abilities for generations to come and allow Alexandra Park to remain the heart of the community,” Mr Scanlon said.
On Monday this week, the Liberal National Government also announced $10 million for a children’s emergency centre at Frankston Hospital.