Capital Region Cancer Services

Cancer is the most common cause of death in the ACT, and while there have been significant increases in survival rates over the last 20 years for most types of cancer, the incidence of cancer is increasing as a result of an ageing of the population.

The new Capital Region Cancer Centre will improve cancer treatment by integrating services, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, haematology, immunology, and research and teaching programs within a single five-storey building on the Canberra Hospital campus.

The new five-storey centre will be an integrated, patient-centred environment built around the recently expanded and refurbished Radiation Oncology facility at Canberra Hospital. It will also be a support and information centre for patients and their families.

The centre will be run by the Capital Region Cancer Service which provides a comprehensive range of screening, assessment, diagnostic, treatment and palliative care services to the metropolitan population of the ACT and patients within the surrounding region of NSW.

The centre will offer a full complement of services designed to address all aspects of cancer treatment, driving progress in the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer from determining its site, to delivering superior, multidisciplinary patient care and providing support and education to patients, their families and the public:

  • Care will be person/family-focused and meet all individuals’ clinical and psychosocial care needs.
  • The patient will be the centre of care; they and their families will be involved in decision making; and there will be an emphasis on connecting and integrating all aspects of a person’s care and treatment within the one facility.
  • Care will be delivered by specialty skilled and trained staff.
  • Services provided will be multidisciplinary and integrated.
  • Care will be easily accessible.
  • Care will be delivered in partnership with primary care.
  • There will be a population approach to cancer management.
  • Care outcomes will be measured for ongoing improvement.
  • Research will be integrated and translate to care delivery.

Early construction on the new Capital Region Cancer Centre is expected to commence mid-year, with main construction commencing in the second half of 2011.