$5m project to support regional patients

A new foundation has been created to fund a $5 million housing development near Mildura Private Hospital for patients from outlying areas.

Mildura Health Foundation's first project is to build 10 self-contained apartments just 200 metres from the hospital's Icon Cancer Centre (MHICC), which opened in April 2023.

Foundation chair Terry Hill said patient accommodation was an essential part of the cancer journey, particularly for people who live more than 80 kilometres outside of Mildura, the main city of the Sunraysia region in northwest Victoria and southwest New South Wales.

"If they didn't have the support of the accommodation, they would have to find their own accommodation and be away from their family ... and unfortunately often this type of treatment can go on for five days a week, for six weeks," Mr Hill said.

"The other part of it is that there are people who don't want to travel outside the district for treatment and would rather go without treatment than go to Adelaide, Melbourne or Bendigo."

The fully-furnished one and two-bedroom apartments will be available to private and public patients who are receiving radiation treatment at MHICC, free of charge or at a low cost after state government rebates.

The region's cancer incidence and mortality ranks higher than the Victorian average, and Mr Hill said it was critical that local patients could access treatment and accommodation options closer to home.

"We are well on the way to addressing this issue with the establishment of MHICC's radiation bunker, which has already led to additional oncology specialists coming to town," he said.

"The new apartments are anticipated to bring even more specialists to town, benefiting the wider community."

The foundation, a registered charity, aims to make a positive difference in the community and ensure those undergoing cancer treatment have access to the best facilities and are well-supported.

"I've been through that journey myself and if we can relieve some anxiety for people, then that's something we need to do, this is a vital part of the cancer journey," Mr Hill said.

Photo caption: (L-R) Daniel Priestley (Mildura Health Fund), Cheryl Rix (Corporate Secretary Mildura Health Foundation), Sean Jolley (Coomealla Club), Peter Nunan (Coomealla Club), Karen Woolfe (Mildura Health Foundation Director), Terry Hill (Mildura Health Foundation Chair), Gerard Op de Coul (Mildura Health CEO), Rod Markwell (Mildura Health Foundation Director), Amanda Phillips, (Mildura Health Foundation Director), Noni Inglis (Mildura Health Fund), Gary Klippel (Mildura Deakin Rotary Club)

Read more: 'Game changing' cancer treatment closer to home

Read more: Instant feedback for endoscopy patients

Next On The Ground:
18/10/2023 Scholarship to boost healthcare diversity

Previous On The Ground:
18/10/2023 Specialists support Fijian community