Cancer patients in Adelaide's northern suburbs will soon have better access to specialist treatment at the new stand-alone cancer centre at the Lyell McEwin Hospital. When complete, the new centre will have increased its number chemotherapy chairs by a third and doubled access to radiotherapy.

"Based in one of our fastest-growing districts, a specialist centre with increased capacity to treat and care for cancer patients will make a big difference," says Premier and Minister for State Development Jay Weatherill. "This new centre offers comprehensive cancer facilities, so twice as many public patients can be treated much closer to where they live," adds Health and Ageing Minister John Hill.

The new $11.5 million centre was jointly funded by the state and commonwealth governments and is part of the $339 million redevelopment of the Lyell McEwin Hospital into one of South Australia’s three major tertiary hospitals. The new centre will include the existing linear accelerator facility as well as an additional linear accelerator, a 12-chair chemotherapy area and six consulting rooms. 

Many patients currently have to travel to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment. The local access offered by the new centre will reduce travel, inconvenience and stress on patients and their families.