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First patient receives radiation therapy at Dubbo


Wednesday 17 November 2021

The first patient has begun life-saving radiation therapy at the new $35 million Western Cancer Centre in Dubbo. 

Delivered under the $306.3 million Dubbo Health Service redevelopment, the new centre, which opened in September this year, has brought state-of-the-art cancer services much closer to home for people living in regional and remote areas of Western NSW. 

Tracey Brown from Wellington, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, was thrilled when he found out he could receive radiation therapy in Dubbo. 

“When they told me I wouldn’t have to travel to Orange or Sydney for treatment it felt like I had won the lottery. The new centre is absolutely beautiful, and the staff have been amazing,” Mr Brown said. 

The Western Cancer Centre features 16 chemotherapy spaces, a bunker for radiation treatment and a PET CT scanner for cancer diagnostics. It also includes a wellness space to provide support and well-being services to patients and their families.  

Living only 30 minutes away from the new Cancer Centre, Mr Brown is able to drive himself to and from treatment each of the five days a week over four weeks.   

“My treatment starts first thing in the morning and I’m usually home by lunch time. It all seems to work well in the new centre, which is great because it is supporting such a big area and so many people,” Mr Brown said. 

Services within the Western Cancer Centre are opening in stages to ensure a smooth transition for patients and give staff the time they need to get use to their new facilities and high-tech equipment.  

The final section of the new Cancer Centre – the PET CT Scanner – is set to open in the coming months. The new PET CT Scanner at Dubbo is one of only three in regional NSW and will provide advanced diagnostics services for a range of patient needs including cancer diagnosis.  

The Western Cancer Centre Dubbo is part of the $306.3 million Dubbo Health Service redevelopment, which includes the newly opened Macquarie Building and car parking. The three-storey clinical building features a new Emergency Department, Medical Imaging Department, critical care floor, Ambulatory Care Centre and front of house for the hospital. 

An official opening for both of the new buildings at Dubbo Hospital will occur in the coming months. 


Image above: Tracey Brown


Image above: Interior view of Western Cancer Centre


Image above: The Western Cancer Centre in Dubbo

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