The Bays Cancer Care Centre in Mornington officially opened on Monday, after two years of construction.
The comprehensive cancer care centre is a one-stop shop for all things cancer treatment – with radiation oncology services, research facilities for clinical trials, a wellness and education centre, consulting suites and wig library all under one roof.
The project was achieved with $10 million of federal funding, secured by former Member for Flinders and former Health Minister the Hon. Greg Hunt.
Having the ability to receive all their treatment on the Mornington Peninsula will reduce the burden of travel for patients and their families. Previously travel to Frankston and beyond was required for treatment and support services.
By 2032 it is anticipated that there will be almost 30,000 patient admissions on the Mornington Peninsula for cancer or haematological diagnosis. With the Mornington Peninsula having a median age well above the state average, and the risk of developing cancer increasing with age, the new centre will be crucial to saving lives in this region.
The Flinders electorate has one of the highest incidents of private health insurance in the country, with 86,948 people covered by private health insurance as of December 2023.
By partnering with cancer care provider Icon, this centre will be the first in the Mornington Peninsula Shire to provide radiation therapy services.
The Bays Cancer Care Centre is another facility, in addition to the Rosebud Cancer & Clinical Trials Hub, which opened in 2022 and was funded through the previous Coalition Government’s $24.6 million Community Health and Hospitals Program (CHHP), which gives Mornington Peninsula residents the chance to access cancer treatments closer to home.
Member for Flinders, Zoe McKenzie MP, commented that The Bays Cancer Care Centre is “one of many places, if you look around, you can see where sensible, careful investment by a Coalition Government, has brought myriad benefits to our local community.”
“The work that goes into making a case for greater investment to meet the needs of this community is ongoing each and every day.”
Former Member for Flinders and Health Minister, the Hon. Greg Hunt, commented that “this centre at the Bays is about better care, earlier care, and therefore helping to save lives and protect lives by making sure people have access to the treatment they need locally.”
“At a critical moment in 2022, when the funding was in the balance, Zoe stepped in, re-secured it, and that’s made all the difference – and this will make all the difference for so many families on the Mornington Peninsula.”
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