Milton Dick (Oxley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

During last week, when the Prime Minister found it convenient to simply cancel work for the week, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend more time in the community, visiting locals and businesses who, unlike the Prime Minister, did turn up for work and continued to serve the local community. This included a visit to the new Mater oncology centre, in greater Springfield, one of the fastest-growing corridors anywhere in Australia. I had the privilege of meeting Mark Middleton, Icon Group CEO; site manager, Josh Runham; and Catherine Di Stasi, from Icon Group Cancer Services, who gave me a firsthand insight into the amazing new technology that is working to save lives.

Since opening in November 2015, funded by the previous Gillard government, ROC Springfield has provided more than 11,000 radiation treatment sessions to over 550 patients. Previously, Springfield and Ipswich residents were forced to commute into the city for such treatment. Since opening, the Mater Springfield has saved, on average, 500 trips per month into the metro area for people living in the Ipswich region who require radiation therapy treatment.

Currently, the clinic is providing treatment for approximately 30 patients daily, using the latest in radiation therapy technology and treatment techniques and including intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, deep inspiration breath-hold and volumetric modulated arc therapy. I commend the Mater Springfield oncology clinic for their world-class service to local residents and thank them for their ongoing work in saving lives.