First stages of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre open

25 June 2012

The first stage of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre at the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg has been officially opened.

The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre will provide the latest available treatments for cancer and will have an important focus on promoting wellness and wellbeing.

The first stage of this new centre will provide extensive outpatient and radiation oncology services, along with the new Wellness Centre. It will also provide the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research with expanded research capacity.

When the second stage of the centre opens next year it will also provide new palliative care and cancer inpatient beds.

The building design has been undertaken in close consultation with cancer patients and the result achieves a model of care that puts the patient at the centre.

The centre will be one of Melbourne’s three leading cancer centres, together with the
Monash Comprehensive Cancer Consortium and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer
Centre - which will be the new home for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

The three centres will underpin the Victorian cancer treatment system and provide an organised network of cancer services across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

The system will deliver screening and prevention programs, networked palliative care services, continuing development of patient support services, and ongoing strategic investment in cancer research.

A majority of funding for the centre was provided by the Victorian Government. The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal also raised significant funding to support the development of the new centre and the Commonwealth Government contributed $25 million.

The second and final stage of the project is expected to be completed and opened in 2013.