Main Navigation Links
Third LINAC announcement welcomed
The Chief Executive of Capital & Coast DHB, Dr Derek Milne, says today’s announcement that Wellington Hospital will get a third Linear Accelerator (LINAC) represents a significant boost for cancer services in the central region of New Zealand.
The Minister of Health, David Cunliffe, today announced his final approval for a third LINAC at the Blood & Cancer Centre at Wellington Hospital. The centre delivers LINAC treatment for patients from nine DHBs in the Central Region of New Zealand.
The Minister’s approval allows $4.9m to be invested in the equipment and staffing to get a third LINAC up and running, and will increase radiation treatment capacity within the Capital and Coast DHB catchment area.
“The additional LINAC will enable us to cater for the increasing demand for radiation therapy treatment, and will help ensure that patients from this region receive the treatment they require in a timely fashion,” Derek Milne said today.
“It’s an extremely welcome decision by the Minister, and I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the DHBs when I say this third LINAC will make a substantial and important difference for cancer patients, and clinicians, in the years ahead.
“Our Group Manager for Cancer Services is confident that we are now on track to have this third LINAC up-and-running and treating patients in the fourth quarter of this year. That is brilliant news in any one’s terms,” Dr Milne said.
C&C DHB’s Clinical Director for Cancer Services, Dr Andrew Simpson describes today’s announcement as “a welcome expansion to cancer treatment resources at Wellington Hospital.”
“We look forward to increasing and improving the delivery of cancer treatments to the people of the Wellington region, and in the central cancer network,” Dr Simpson said.