No change to Comprehensive Cancer Centre budget

Health Minister Kim Hames has moved to reassure cancer patients, their families and clinicians that the total funding for the stage 2 expansion of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) is unchanged.

"Claims that the funding has been almost halved in the Budget presented yesterday have caused unnecessary alarm," Dr Hames said.

"The project is progressing well and is at the design development stage, with final approval of schematic design pending.

"The total $65million budget remains the same, with an adjustment made to the cash flow to give a realistic indication of when funds will be needed for the project."

The Minister said tenders for the construction would be advertised in August this year and it was anticipated that the construction contract would be awarded in

November 2009.

"We anticipate construction will be completed in September 2011," he said.

The expanded Comprehensive Cancer Centre will be seven times the size of the existing facility and will bring all cancer services at SCGH under the one roof for the first time.

A second Comprehensive Cancer Centre will be developed at Fiona Stanley Hospital.