Western Australia will become home to a comprehensive cancer centre expected to open by the end of 2030.
The Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre set to be built within the QEII Medical Campus site is expected to be similar to those in other states and will deliver cutting-edge clinical care for cancer patients.
The centre will receive joint funding from the WA and federal governments, with WA’s share to be confirmed in the upcoming State Budget.
Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research chief executive Professor Peter Leedman said the centre would transform the way cancer research and care was delivered in the state, giving WA access to treatment and clinical trials currently only available in the eastern states.
“The difference between a truly comprehensive cancer centre, like the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Victoria, and existing cancer services in WA, stems from deep integration of world-leading medical research and clinical trials into the treatment and care provided to patients,” he said.
Research shows strong collaboration between scientists and clinicians leads to significantly better patient outcomes and a more coordinated, less fragmented cancer journey.
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“Unfortunately, in WA, one in three people will die from cancer and more than 14,000 cases will be diagnosed each year,” Professor Leedman said.
“Although there have been research-driven cancer breakthroughs in the past 20 years, many people still struggle through treatments for some of the most challenging cancers, for which there is currently no cure and where resistance to treatment is common.
“It is on these types of cancers that the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre will initially focus.”
The Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre will include inpatient services including 90 multi-day beds, 40 same-day beds and chairs including chemotherapy and haematology as well as at least six intensive care/high dependency beds
As well as outpatient services and research and education services a Cancer Care Coordination Centre will provide care coordination, patient navigation and patient information services.
This will include virtual health services providing support for regional, remote and Aboriginal patients living with cancer, and working with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Command Centre
Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the centre would also add capacity to WA’s overall health system.
It is expected to be at least 18 months before construction on the centre begins.
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