Oncology Bunker – To Faster Cancer Treatment

Media Release

DATE: Friday 30 October 2009
Subject: Oncology Bunker – Important Step Towards Faster Cancer Treatment

The roof of Christchurch Hospital’s new oncology bunker has now been poured, with a small pocket left for a topping off ceremony next Tuesday, to which media are invited.

“The Oncology Department is very excited about what this rather simple-looking building will help to achieve – faster access to radiation therapy for cancer patients,” Dr Iain Ward, Canterbury District Health Board’s Clinical Director Radiation Oncology said.

By the end of the year, the bunker will be home to a new Linear Accelerator (linac) that will start giving radiation treatment in April. This linac will replace one of two ageing machines in the Oncology Department, with the second to be replaced before the end of next year.

“The new machine will be 12 -20 per cent more efficient than its predecessor, translating to a total of about 1,000 more treatments or 70 more courses of treatment each year,” Dr Ward said.

“It is great news for Canterbury cancer patients as we will be able to provide radiation treatment earlier. The new machines will also more accurately target cancers, limiting the level of radiation reaching surrounding tissue and reducing side effects.” When both new accelerators have been installed and the old machines removed, there will be a vacant bunker in the Oncology Department for a fourth linac.

“At the moment we don’t know when we will need the extra capacity of a fourth machine,” Dr Ward said. Other improvements to the Oncology Department in the next year will include a new chemotherapy suite, new clinic rooms, waiting areas and offices. The total cost of the work, excluding the fourth linac, will be $10 million.

Although plans are being made to shift the Oncology Department into stage two of the Christchurch Hospital redevelopment, this won’t happen for about 11 years and the extra capacity for treatment and clinic space is needed as soon as possible.

Oncology Bunker Facts

• The walls, floor and roof are two metres thick to prevent the high energy radiation used during cancer treatment from affecting people outside.

• A total of 400m3 of concrete has been used, weighing 950,000kg - the equivalent of 80 trucks of concrete.

• The bunker may sink up to 10mm under its own weight, so the floor has been poured lower than its final level and will be topped up in the next few days once it has settled.

• The first Linear Accelerator will be installed in early December but needs several months of testing before the first treatments can be given in April 2010.

• Having the new bunker means that the existing linac can continue treating cancer patients through this testing period.

ENDS

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