Cancer patients across the Northern Rivers will benefit from expanded access to radiation therapy following the completion of a major technology upgrade at the North Coast Cancer Institute at Lismore Base Hospital.
The project included the replacement of two linear accelerators (LINACs), providing the institute with advanced equipment capable of delivering the latest radiation therapy treatments. The upgrade also involved refurbishing the radiation therapy bunkers to enhance the patient experience and modernising the planning room used by staff to design and schedule radiotherapy treatments.
Director of Radiation Oncology at NNSWLHD, Dr Carmen Hansen, said the investment would help ensure cancer services in the region continue to offer world-class care.
“These upgrades will ensure that cancer services in Northern NSW remain at the forefront of the latest technology and innovation,” Dr Hansen said.
The LINAC Replacement Project was supported by $8.2 million in funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
The replacement program was delivered in two stages over 12 months. During construction, the service continued operating from a single bunker with extended daily hours to ensure patients maintained access to timely treatment.
With the upgrades now complete, treatment capacity is expected to increase by around 50 per cent, allowing the service to treat approximately 60 patients a day, up from 40.
Dr Hansen said the improvements would help maintain the institute’s reputation as a leader in regional cancer care.
“The North Coast Cancer Institute in Lismore has a strong reputation of leading the way in providing patients with high-quality healthcare right here in regional NSW, and these improvements will ensure patients continue to benefit from the very best care closer to home.”
Patients will also benefit from improvements to treatment rooms, including sequenced ceiling lighting that helps guide patient positioning and new artworks selected through a patient-led survey process.
In late 2024, the institute introduced a stereotactic radiotherapy program for eligible prostate cancer patients, reducing the standard treatment course from 20 sessions to five. The streamlined treatment schedule reduces hospital visits for patients while increasing capacity to treat more people.
Director Cancer Services and Innovation at NNSWLHD, Stephen Manley, said the upgrades would further strengthen cancer care across the region.
“Our cancer centres at Lismore Base Hospital and Tweed Valley Hospital provide care which is on par with the best in the country, and this latest suite of improvements will further enhance the care and experience we provide to our patients,” Manley said.
Manley thanked staff for supporting the project while maintaining services for patients.
“I’d like to thank our entire team of radiation oncologists, registrars, radiation therapists, oncology nurses, medical physicists, allied health and administration staff for their collaborative work to support the installation of this state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
“I also want to thank our incredible staff for their continued efforts over the past 12 months to minimise waiting times by operating across extended hours and working closely with other cancer services in the region to triage patients when and where needed.”
More information about cancer services and support is available on the NNSWLHD website.
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