New $54 million integrated cancer centre opens

A new $54 million integrated cancer centre and research hub has opened at Macarthur Health Precinct in Campbelltown.

Developed by Northwest Healthcare Properties through its NZX-listed fund Vital Healthcare Property Trust, the facility has the capacity to deliver more than 13,000 cancer treatments a year — bringing advanced cancer care closer to home for the South West Sydney community and people living in the Southern Highlands.

The GenesisCare Campbelltown Centre offers radiation therapy, chemotherapy, haematology, and selection into clinical trials and research programs at the new centre, with plans to offer Theranostics and nuclear medicine in the future.

Patients can also access pathology and allied health services offered by the centre’s partners under the same roof, with diagnostic imaging to be available in the coming months.

The development, comprising four storeys across 3927 m² of gross floor area, has the ability to upscale and increase capacity to meet future demand in the region as the population grows and ages.

Campbelltown’s population is estimated to grow by around 47.4% by 2041¹, and the new centre hopes to create more than 30 immediate jobs in health care, growing to 60 jobs as services expand over time.

The facility is the result of a partnership between Campbelltown City Council, cancer care provider GenesisCare, construction company Erilyan and Northwest Healthcare Properties — owner, manager and developer of healthcare property. Environment and sustainability is a key focus for the centre, with the facility targeting a 6-Star Green-Star rating.

The official opening of the building marks the completion of Stage 1 of a multi-staged health precinct being developed by Northwest. The precinct is surrounded by green open spaces such as Koshigaya Park and is conveniently located close to Narellan Road and the M5, creating ease of access for patients travelling to and from the centre from the wider region.

GenesisCare’s General Manager in NSW, Richard Briggs, said the services provided by the facility will complement and work with existing cancer treatment providers in Campbelltown, supporting one of Australia’s fastest growing cities.

“Our doctors are well established in the local area. They either work, live or teach in South West Sydney and know this community well,” Briggs said.

Mayor of Campbelltown Dr George Greiss said, “This facility demonstrates the balance between architectural excellence and high-quality service provision, and the realisation of this project is proof of what can be achieved through a strong partnership. Not only does this facility provide high-value jobs in the heart of our city centre, it ensures strategic land is put to best use for the benefit of our community.”

Northwest Healthcare Properties Senior Vice President of Precincts Alex Belcastro said, “In collaboration with Campbelltown City Council, our partnership via the NZX-listed Vital Healthcare Property Trust aims to draw top talent to Macarthur, elevate the quality of patient care, and provide treatments in a convenient and local setting. We are eagerly anticipating the precinct’s expansion, with plans underway for a short-stay surgical hospital and additional complementary services. Our Development Application for Stage 2 is already in progress.”

^{1. Forecast.id. (n.d.). About forecast areas - Campbelltown (NSW). Accessed March 2024 from https://forecast.id.com.au/campbelltown/about-forecast-areas}

Image credit: Erilyan