Cancer care comes closer

SOUTH-EAST residents now have access to vital cancer services closer to home with the opening of new chemotherapy day-stay chairs at Dandenong Hospital thanks to a $300,000 State Government funding boost.
Visiting the hospital on Tuesday, Health Minister Daniel Andrews inspected the new chemotherapy service as well as new cutting-edge surgical equipment in Dandenong’s operating theatres.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to provide world-class health services with the latest advances in technology and comfort for cancer patients,” Mr Andrews said.
“The government will deliver $300,000 to the new chemotherapy day service at Dandenong as part of the Victorian Cancer Action Plan.
“This service will bring treatments closer to home, improving convenience and reducing travel time and costs for cancer patients living in Dandenong and surrounding areas.”
Mr Andrews said the government officially launched the $150 million cancer action plan last December to fast-track life-saving cancer treatment.
“Cancer is a high priority for the Victorian Government and the plan aims to increase cancer survival rates for Victorians by a further 10 per cent by 2015,” he said.
“Once fully operational, these new chemotherapy chairs at Dandenong Hospital will treat up to 50 patients per week who would otherwise travel to Moorabbin.”
The service, which started in March, will accommodate up to six chemotherapy chairs, and will run five days per week.
In a further boost, Mr Andrews said Dandenong Hospital’s surgical suites were now equipped with a state-of-the-art e-health patient navigation system with $500,000 from the government’s Elective Surgery Initiative.
“These contain cameras that enable orthopaedic surgeons to view, document and telecast surgical procedures, including arthroscopic procedures,” he said.