Radiation therapy for all Gold Coast cancer patients

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has inspected the $6 million linear accelerators that will deliver radiotherapy to Gold Coast public cancer patients locally for the first time.

 Mr Springborg said it was a service that would be welcomed by the local community when he toured the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) today.

 “I am told up to 60 patients can be treated daily when the hospital opens later this year,” Mr Springborg said.

 Affectionately known as ‘linacs’, the machines help with treatment of a wide range of cancer types including breast, prostate, lung and head-and-neck cancers.

 Dianna McGuinness is a local resident who is currently travelling to Brisbane for radiation treatment.  Ms McGuinness is one person who understands the benefits of being treated closer to home.

 “It would be so much better to travel a shorter distance, especially when the effects of radiation become more intense,” Ms McGuinness said.

 Gold Coast doctors across a range of specialties gave a firsthand account of how key services would run once the hospital moves from 108 Nerang Street to 1 Hospital Boulevard on Saturday 28 September.

 A presentation outlining how the move will take place revealed that most patients will be shifted over a two day period.

 “Planning is being undertaken with key partners such as the police, ambulance, Main Roads, council and private health providers,” Mr Springborg said.

 “This is a one in a lifetime task and it is reassuring to see the depth of planning and consultation being put into the exercise.”

[ENDS] 7 May 2013

Media contact: Clare Mildren 0417 255 284