New Purpose Built Accommodation for Cancer Patients in Lismore
North Coast cancer patients who require treatment at Lismore Base Hospital’s Cancer Care Unit will now be able to stay in purpose-built accommodation in the hospital precinct.
Page MP Janelle Saffin today opened the ‘Our House’ centre on behalf of Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek, alongside Dr Chris Ingall, OAM, Chair of Our House, Northern Rivers Community Cancer Foundation.
Ms Saffin said the Our House project has been a remarkable community initiative and she congratulated Dr Ingall and Rebekka Battista and all those in the community involved in pursuing this project.
“Our House will help take the stress out of having to find affordable and quality accommodation close to Lismore Base Hospital for patients and families, some of whom will need to travel some distance to Lismore for their treatment.
“Back in 2009 when the Government announced the extra cancer care funding through the Health and Hospitals Fund I encouraged the Our House committee to put in a submission and I supported it.
“The Australian Government has invested a total of $3.6 million towards the construction of Our House. The NSW Government and Cancer Council NSW each contributed $500,000 and more than $1 million has come from the local community’s outstanding fundraising effort.
“The ‘Our House’ complex will provide affordable short-stay accommodation for up to 20 patients and their families and carers at any one time.
“It will also provide accommodation for parents and families who have children being treated at Lismore Base Hospital’s Children Ward and Special Care Nursery
“The accommodation includes one and two bedroom units, play equipment for children, patient consultation areas, and communal lounge and eating areas.
“People staying at Our House may be going through similar challenges, so there will be opportunities to share experiences, develop friendships and support each other.
“Since 2007, the Australian Government has invested $2.5 billion to develop a world class cancer care system that improves the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.
“Earlier today I opened the new PET/CT scanner and MRI facility at Lismore Base, as part of the Government’s $17 million investment in cancer care in Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.
“The opening of Our House is testament to a remarkable community effort, and it is the members of our community who will benefit greatly from this new centre.
