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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-05-02 Daily Xml
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FLINDERS CENTRE FOR INNOVATION IN CANCER

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (14:49): My question is to the Minister for Health.

Mr Marshall: He's having a busy day.

Mr ODENWALDER: He is having a busy day. How will the new Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer improve care for South Australians with cancer?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts) (14:49): I thank the member very much for his question. It was my pleasure last week to commission the new $28 million Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, which is co-located with the Flinders Medical Centre. The centre incorporates the Livestrong Cancer Research Centre—a legacy of Lance Armstrong's relationship with South Australia, which was forged through the Santos Tour Down Under—and the ACRF Cancer Prevention Unit.

This centre will be a beacon in this state for research into cancer prevention, control and survivorship, working in collaboration with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. It will lead Australia in innovation for the early diagnosis, prevention, treatment and support for people with cancer and, of course, their loved ones and carers. The centre will incorporate a wellness centre, teashop and patient support area, and there is a haematology oncology day treatment unit where patients can receive chemotherapy treatment as well.

The Cancer Care Clinic on level 3 provides a one-stop shop for patients where all specialists tend to patients at the one location. The centre will also be the focal point for allied health research, including nutrition, psychology and survivorship. The top two floors of laboratories include the latest design in open-plan wet labs and offices as well as an open-plan staff lunch and meeting room to encourage the exchange of ideas.

The new centre will bring together a network of around 100 clinicians, scientists and health professionals from Flinders University and the Flinders Medical Centre to enable them to develop more effective solutions to the growing problem of cancer control. It is expected the centre will drive and inspire more effective results for those whose lives may one day be affected by cancer.

Already, two new initiatives have been born from this venture. Firstly, the Lance Armstrong Foundation's most significant tool for patients—their Survivorship Guidebook and guidebook app—will be translated for Australian patients to suit our country's needs. Secondly, the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer will host Australia's first Cancer Survivorship Conference in February next year.

This centre is an outstanding example of what can happen when people passionate about a cause get together to take action. I would like to acknowledge the many people involved in this project, in particular, Mr Alan Young, Chairman of the Flinders Medical Centre Foundation, who has worked tirelessly with this foundation over many years; Professor Graeme Young, who is the clinical director, an outstanding South Australian researcher and clinician and the centre's director of development; and Deborah Heithersay and her team from the FMC Foundation for their tireless work over many, many years. The funding for this, of course, has come from the state government, the federal government, the clinicians who work in the Flinders Medical Centre, volunteers and, I think, the Cancer Foundation and other charitable foundations in South Australia.

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