A new $152 million cancer and research centre will offer patients comprehensive care while supercharging skin cancer research in Victoria.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas yesterday visited the site of the new Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre, where construction on the new building has "topped out" and is reaching its final stages.
Located next to The Alfred Hospital on St Kilda Road, the new centre will bring together leading skin cancer specialists and dedicated multi-disciplinary teams under one roof, providing skin cancer patients with access to the best care available.
On track to be fully operational early next year the centre plans to treat 300 patients a day across 25 clinic rooms and 49 chemotherapy treatment chairs, the 'patient-centred' facility is designed with a deliberate focus on the wellbeing and convenience of those receiving treatment.
Envisaged as a hub for skin cancer research, the centre will drive innovation and find new treatments to help respond to increasing rates of skin cancer, with two in three Australians now diagnosed by the age of 70.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and the fifth most common in the state, with an average of 3,000 Victorians diagnosed every year.
The Andrews Labor Government invested $50 million towards the construction of the centre, with funding also from the Commonwealth Government, the Fox family, the Minderoo Foundation, and Monash University.
Since establishing the Victorian Cancer Agency in 2006 more than $300 million has been invested to support research, projects and our workforce deliver better cancer care and save lives.
Since coming to Government, we've invested more than $15 billion to deliver Victorians the hospitals and health services they deserve.
The Victorian Budget 2023/24 builds on this strong record with a further $659 million for health infrastructure projects, continuing the work of boosting capacity and improving infrastructure right across the state to ensure that all Victorians have access to high quality health care, closer to home.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"We're proud to be supporting this landmark project that will put comprehensive and convenient care, with all the support patients need available under one roof."
"With such a large number of Victorians diagnosed with melanoma every year, it's critical that we invest in finding new ways to treat and prevent this condition and spare countless families the pain of losing a loved one."
"Victoria is a global leader in medical research and this new centre will help us to continue to drive breakthroughs in skin cancer research ultimately saving the lives of Victorians."
