Victoria’s Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas came to Echuca on Friday to officially open the region’s new state-of-the-art Cancer and Wellness Centre.
“This new facility is absolutely world-class. It’s so important that people and rural Victoria have access to the very best care,” Ms Thomas said.
“What this delivers is quality cancer care close to home for the people of Echuca, Moama and surrounding communities.”
The new centre is designed to take an holistic approach to treatment and will include not just chemotherapy and dialysis options but also eventually wellness programs designed to help the body and spirit of the patient.
The centre, which is expected to help more than 1200 patients each year, has 12 chemotherapy/haemodialysis chairs and specialist consulting rooms.
Prior to speaking at the opening, Ms Thomas was given a private tour of the facility where she was given the chance to see the new amenities, and to speak with current patients.
Ms Thomas said it was “really important” that people could access local treatments near family and friends.
“While people are receiving cancer treatment they are also trying to get on with their lives and live their life to the fullest,” she said.
Ms Thomas said that during Reconciliation Week it was important to reflect on the complicated history First Nations Australians have with the hospital system and implement more ways to increase treatment levels amongst the community.
“Let’s remember ... health services were not perceived as safe places by Aboriginal people because the stories in families were that’s where your children were taken away,” she said.
Echuca Regional Health’s board chair Larna Tarrant announced that the centre would also have a First Nations name, to be officially released at a later date.
The state government has invested $6 million in the centre, with Echuca Regional Health raising a further $1.3 million with the support of the community.