Construction has begun on a new radiation therapy centre in Werribee that is expected to offer patients, including those from Melton, access to one of the best equipped oncology wards in Melbourne’s west.
Delivered in partnership by cancer care provider GenesisCare and St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee, the new radiation therapy centre is expected to be completed in mid-2026.
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Werribee general manager and director of clinical services Emma Saliba said she expects it to be of huge benefit to the Werribee area.
“The addition of radiation therapy at our hospital will strengthen our cancer care offering for local patients, making it one of the most comprehensive oncology services in Melbourne’s western region,” Ms Saliba said.
The new centre will support the refurbished Day Infusion Centre which opened earlier in the year.
With about 170 admissions each month, Ms Saliva said the upgrades deliver vital treatment services without the added stress of patients having to travel into the city for treatment.
GenesisCare radiation oncologist Dr Michael Guiney said the organisation was happy to collaborate with the hospital.
“Once the centre is open, a cancer patient from Werribee or the western region seeking radiation therapy will no longer need to travel more than 20 kilometres to the nearest treatment centre and could save an average of 15 hours of travel time during the course of their treatment,” he said.
“The availability of cancer care close to home can be crucial for patients. We know that long commutes can deter some patients from seeking or following through with care.
“This new centre will have capacity to provide care to more than 500 local cancer patients, increasing their healthcare options and offering access to GenesisCare’s clinical excellence and compassionate patient-focused care.”
According to St Vincent’s Hospitals, the new centre will generate more than 20 highly skilled jobs in the Wyndham area.
GenesisCare’s new service in Werribee builds on GenesisCare’s arrangements with St Vincent’s Hospitals in Fitzroy and in New South Wales, and long-standing relationships with doctors in the region.
