Prime Minister, Minister for Health, Minister for Medical Research
Sydney
The Rudd Government has announced an additional $19.5 million in Government funding to the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse project at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) in Camperdown.
The extra funding will allow the fit-out of inpatient facilities, operating suites and procedure rooms to be built faster, allowing cancer patients to be treated sooner on site.
The purpose built centre is part of the Government’s commitment to provide world leading cancer care in Australia. Lifehouse at RPA will ensure better outcomes for people living with cancer.
As an integrated cancer centre, Lifehouse at RPA will deliver a range of vital services in the one location including clinical care, surgery, medical and radiation oncology, research, integrative medicine, and support services for patients, their families and carers.
The new facilities will include 96 inpatient beds, eight operating suites and procedure rooms, and 18 intensive care and high dependency beds.
Since coming to power in 2007, the Government has invested more than $4 billion into cancer care, improving detection and treatment.
Cancer survival rates in Australia are among the best in the world due to our advances in research, development of early detection, improvements in treatment and follow up care.
The additional $19.5 million funding brings the total Commonwealth contribution to Lifehouse at RPA to $169.5 million.
In 2008-09, $50 million was allocated to Lifehouse at RPA through the Health and Hospitals Reform, followed by $100 million in 2009-10 through Round One of the Government’s Health and Hospitals Fund.
The inpatient services unit is now due to open in late 2014 – approximately two years earlier than the original expected date – thanks to the additional Federal funding and matching funds contributed by Lifehouse at RPA.
In the years before his passing, Chris O’Brien worked to transform the Sydney Cancer Centre into a world-class integrated cancer treatment centre.
The Government is honoured to help realise Chris’ vision sooner, and Lifehouse at RPA will be a place where his compassion and skill will live on.