Private cancer centre for Wellington
Patients are already lining up for treatment at a new private cancer centre which will offer ‘‘world class’’ care for privately insured people in Wellington and its surrounding regions.
Prime Minister Bill English cut the ribbon to open the multimillion dollar centre yesterday morning, based at Bowen Hospital in Crofton Downs.
The centre is a partnership between Australian cancer care provider Icon Group and New Zealand’s Acurity Health Group, and means Wellington cancer patients can opt for private care in their own city for the first time.
A year ago, the centre was an empty storeroom where the Christmas decorations were kept, Acurity chief executive Ian England said.
‘‘They had a collection of old roof tiles over there, and decorations over here ... so it’s come up beautifully,’’
The build was worth around $2m, but the investment will balloon as advanced technology is introduced for radiation therapy next year.
‘‘The electronic machine that
"This is something that local New Zealand residents deserve." Icon's medical director Dr Ian Irving
goes in the [radiation] bunker is about $3m alone, then you’ve got to have concrete lining - so we expect the costs to rapidly move up.’’
The build was initially planned for Wakefield Hospital in Newtown, at an estimated cost of $20m, but building at Bowen saved money by making use of existing infrastructure.
Chemotherapy and other treatments for cancers will be offered this year, with consultations set to begin next week.
The centre will initially treat hundreds of patients every year, with this expected to grow over time.
English said the centre – funded entirely by the private sector – wasn’t a sign the Government was failing in providing adequate care through the public system.
‘‘It’s a sign the system is open to new investment ... for patients who want a choice, and different models of care.’’