State announces $750m Qld Cancer Centre to be built by 2028

The state government has announced the creation of a $750m stand-alone cancer hospital for Brisbane, with the centre set to be operating within a decade.

A brand new world-class stand-alone cancer hospital will be built in Brisbane as part of this year’s record health budget.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the $750m Queensland Cancer Centre (QCC) at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital would be completed by 2028.

“Whether it’s a friend, a relative or a colleague – every Queenslander knows someone who has battled cancer,” the Premier said.

“It will be the only cancer care service in the country offering the full spectrum of cancer services in one place.

“There are approximately 31,000 cancer diagnoses and over 9,400 deaths in Queensland each year.”

The QCC, based n the Herston Health Precinct, will have 150 beds with access to a multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses and allied health professionals.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the facility demonstrated the Palaszczuk government’s commitment to improving the state’s healthcare system.

“This major development will allow us to provide the best care and treatment to double the number of people, and that is always our highest priority,” she said.

An artist’s impression of the $750m Queensland Cancer Centre at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, announced on Monday. Picture: David Clark

“It will deliver a chemotherapy service, outpatient consult rooms, multiple operating theatres and a pathology and pharmacy service.

“It will also include a full range of research, education and training facilities which will support continued and strengthened partnerships with the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.”

Treasurer Cameron Dick said investing in the right infrastructure, technology and resources would be a “vital part” of this month’s state budget.

“The pandemic showed a vital link between a strong health system and a strong economy,” he said.

Education Minister and Member for McConnel Grace Grace said this hospital would be “life-changing” for thousands of Queensland cancer sufferers.

“We’re not just catering from growth – we are building one of the world’s leading cancer hospitals right here in Queensland,” she said.

“Cancer is a scourge on our society.

An artist’s impression of the $750m Queensland Cancer Centre at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, announced on Monday. Picture: David Clark

“With more and more cases each year, we’ve made a clear decision to invest in the world’s best facilities treatments and research to give Queenslanders the best shot.”

Minister Grace Grace said Monday’s announcement was also about jobs and “creating local opportunities for Queensland contractors and more than 2000 construction jobs”.

Metro North Health is Australia’s largest cancer care service in Australia, seeing 5700 new cancer cases each year.

Cancer is Australia’s leading cause of death and disability, with the number of new cancer cases each year projected to increase faster than the rate of population growth.