DEVELOPMENT NEWS Construction starts on multimillion redevelopment of St Andrew’s Ipswich St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital has embarked on the largest redevelopment project in the hospital’s 108 year history. 6 The Ramsay Way 2017 | 02 Completing the circle of cancer care Cancer patients can now access every aspect of their cancer treatment at Greenslopes Private Hospital, following the opening of a world-class radiation oncology service. The arrival of Radiation Oncology Centre (ROC) means people no longer need to travel elsewhere to receive this life-saving therapy. ROC’s state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest radiation therapy technology. It delivers pinpoint precision radiation with greater speed and accuracy, and reduces toxicities to surrounding healthy tissue. “Cancer affects everything from the top of the head to the tip of the toes so we also need to have a machine with the flexibility to rotate around the patient, and the Truebeam Radiotherapy System allows us to do that,” said ROC Site Manager Belinda Petherick. David Cragnolini is one of the first patients to receive radiation therapy treatment at the new centre. He was diagnosed with rectal cancer in April and is receiving concurrent chemotherapy at the Cyril Gilbert Cancer Centre. “Since being diagnosed with cancer I have been able to come to Greenslopes for all my appointments and medical needs. It has been a pleasant experience each time and I feel confident in the medical teams; it’s simply easier to come to the one place,” Mr Cragnolini said. The centre can treat up to 50 patients per day and offers a friendly, caring and supportive environment for patients, their families and carers. ROC Radiation Oncologist Dr Kumar Gogna said the centre offers the latest treatment approach and complements Greenslopes’ existing cancer care services. “A cancer diagnosis is often a stressful time for patients and their loved ones. Having access to the best treatments and services all in the one location can reduce the burden,” said Dr Gogna. The centre is also home to Australia’s first Esteya machine which delivers skin brachytherapy. This non-invasive treatment modality is suitable for non-melanoma skin cancers including Basel Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas. New radiation oncology centre at Greenslopes Private Hospital. Aerial view of the construction site at St Andrew’s Private Hospital in Ipswich. Contractors, John Holland Group, commenced the redevelopment in January this year. The main project works have commenced, with overall project completion and final use of the new facilities scheduled for late 2018. In the coming months the focus is on construction of the concrete structure that will make up the emergency department, new ward block and multistorey carpark. To support this phase of the project a 37m high tower crane has been erected and will become a temporary landmark in the Ipswich skyline. The $64 million investment into the hospital will see the opening of the first private Emergency Centre within the Ipswich and West Moreton Region. Patients and their families will no longer have to travel to Brisbane to receive private emergency care. A new Intensive Care Unit will support the Emergency Centre with an accompanying 81 new private patient rooms to be built; increasing the capacity of the hospital from 97 to 178 beds. Maternity and paediatric services are at the forefront of redevelopment plans; with a predicted 5% population growth to occur within the region by 2031. A new Maternity Unit will provide young families with quality local obstetric and paediatric services which will be supported by three new labour delivery suites. Rehabilitation services will also benefit from the project, with the redesign facilitating a 21 bed Rehabilitation Unit with an accompanying gymnasium. A new three story car park will also provide plenty of on-campus parking promoting easy access to the hospital. This is an exciting step for St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital and the Ipswich community,” said CEO Chris Went. “The multimillion dollar development will attract new specialists and health care professionals to the region. Patients will have greater access to top quality care and services close to home. “Our team is looking forward to this development and are grateful to Ramsay Health Care for seeing how important St Andrew’s Ipswich is to the Ipswich and west Moreton Region now and into the future,” she said.
The Ramsay Way - Winter 2017
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