$10 million world-class cancer centre announced for Norwest

• World-class cancer centre to be built in Norwest to meet increased demand following population boom in the Hills District
• Cancer patients requiring radiation therapy currently travel up to two hours a day to access treatment placing a toll on patients and their families
• Cancer facility will be built by early 2022 adjacent to Norwest Private Hospital and will offer patients rapid access to state-of-the-art radiation therapy techniques and technology
• The centre will have the capacity to deliver more than 14,000 treatments to 800 patients a year

Norwest, Sydney – Local cancer patients in the Hills District will soon no longer have to travel for potentially life-saving treatment, thanks to a new world-class cancer facility being built in Norwest by radiation therapy provider GenesisCare.

GenesisCare has officially signed a lease with property management company Mulpha to build a $10 million radiation therapy facility at the Bond in Norwest, an innovative new health precinct adjacent to Norwest Private Hospital.

This is the fourth GenesisCare facility to be built in Greater Western Sydney, with GenesisCare also providing radiation therapy services at Macquarie Hospital, Concord and more recently Kingswood.

Hon Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell, said: “This is great news for people in North West Sydney which is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia. The facility will help develop an innovative new health precinct adjacent to the Norwest Private Hospital delivering the best care possible to areas like ours where there is such high need.”

“Many of us have friends and family members who are affected by cancer and know that it is imperative they receive the best care available and as close to home as possible. This facility will do just that.”

Dr Michelle Byrne, Major of the Hills Shire, said: “The Hills is one of the fastest growing LGAs in the country with an expected population of 290,000 by 2036.  We need more services particularly in the areas of healthcare to support our rapidly growing population and to ensure residents have access to the best possible treatments.

“We welcome the addition of a brand-new facility that will provide treatments such as radiation therapy close to home without the need for patients to travel to other parts of Sydney to access these services.

“As a former Cancer researcher I understand the importance of patients being able to access quality, innovative cancer treatments that gives them the best possible chance of survival long term,” Mayor Byrne added.

Ben Ward, GenesisCare’s Executive Manager of Oncology, said: “This investment further highlights GenesisCare’s unwavering commitment to delivering high quality cancer care services to areas with high need, such as Greater Western Sydney.”

“The Hills district in Greater Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in NSW in terms of population growth so it is absolutely imperative we invest in the right healthcare infrastructure to ensure local community needs are met now and in the future.”

GenesisCare Norwest will provide patients with rapid access to state-of-the-art radiotherapy techniques and technology, including stereotactic body ablative therapy, tattoo free radiation therapy, deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) and rapid access for palliative care.

Patients from the Hills District can access surgery and medical oncology services locally at Norwest Private Hospital, however in some cases are currently travelling up to two hours a day for treatment to receive radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy contributes to 40 per cent of all cancer cures world-wide.

North West (comprising two LGAs – Blacktown City Council and The Hills Shire Council) is home to half a million people (495,000) and is one of Sydney’s primary population growth corridors. Over the past decade, the population has increased by 89,837 people, growing at a rate of 22% over ten years.¹

According to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, the area’s population will reach 1 million people in 2036 (812,250).¹

Every year, more than 4500 people in Western Sydney Local Health District, will be told they have cancer and there will be more than 1300 cancer deaths.²

Tim Spencer, Executive General Manager at Mulpha Developments, said: “We are thrilled that GenesisCare has chosen to establish its world-class cancer treatment centre in Norwest, enabling cancer patients in the Hills District and Western Sydney to access high quality care closer to home.

“The new GenesisCare cancer centre is a natural fit for our landmark timber building The Bond, given its focus on wellness, sustainability and innovation, and proximity to the Norwest Private Hospital.

“GenesisCare shares Mulpha’s commitment to developing the right healthcare infrastructure to meet local community needs in Norwest as it transforms into a major residential, commercial and retail hub in Sydney’s economic growth corridor along the Metro Norwest.”

The development is located in the Norwest Business Park, Norwest NSW. Patients will be able to access the centre via multiple public transport hubs or make the most of free on-site parking, taking away an extra stress from their treatment experience.