Comprehensive cancer centre may need philanthropic boost

One of the state’s key medical research institutions is gearing up for a major fundraising campaign as it awaits state government support for a planned specialist cancer centre.

Four years after the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research received $375 million in support from the federal government for its proposed Western Australian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the concept is now undergoing the second stage of a two-part state investment review.

Perkins leaders hope the state will follow through on the federal government’s promise, which they say is in the federal budget.

But even if the state government chooses to honor the federal commitment dollar-for-dollar, the project, touted as a $750 million project in early 2022, is likely to carry a much higher price tag as inflation has significantly increased construction costs in Western Australia in the intervening period.

In this case, Perkins may turn to the private sector to fill the gap that may arise.

Ben Morton, president of Perkins, said the organization is bracing itself for the public part of the process as it awaits the outcome of an employment lawsuit filed with the state government.

“We would probably want to talk to the federal government about increasing their commitment, but Perkins has always recognized that there will be a significant philanthropic component to this project,” Mr. Morton said.

“We know the WA community wants to get behind this.

“From events like this, we know that: [MACA Cancer 200 bicycle] Journey and walk for women’s cancer There is great interest in fighting and fighting cancer in the WA community.

“We think community spirit and generosity can be shared at all levels of our community, from those who want to make a small contribution to this project to those who have the capacity to make a large contribution.

“But what we need and what we are looking forward to is understanding the government’s contribution to this project and so we look forward to completing the final business case so that they can evaluate their contribution.”

The Comprehensive Cancer Center brings together research and clinical care so that patients with incurable forms of the disease can undergo trials of new drugs and techniques before full approval.

Earlier this year the state government bifurcated the business case process when it approved the project as a stand-alone facility, with a planned 10-storey project including around 300 beds and treatment chairs, 10 operating theaters and integrated laboratories, built at the Queen Elizabeth II campus in Nedlands.

Given the political fight around the Women and Babies Hospital, which was built in Cockburn to replace the obstetrician King Edward Memorial Hospital in Subiaco, commitment to the site appears to be an important element in public messaging that goes beyond fundraising.

There appears to be some reaction within the health and medical research system about how comprehensive the new center will be.

Mr Morton was clear that the WA Comprehensive Cancer Center would focus on a limited number of cancer types, but exactly which ones would not yet be made public.

“We are not seeking to replace the current services offered to West Australians at hospitals across the state and closer to home,” he said.

“We want to focus on the six cancer streams that we haven’t disclosed, and we’re not in a position to disclose that until we complete the final business case,” he added.

He said specializing in specific cancers would have the dual benefits of attracting the best researchers from elsewhere to carry out their studies in WA and providing those suffering from these cancers with cutting-edge treatment that they might otherwise have to travel interstate or overseas to obtain.

Typically these patients go to existing interstate facilities similar to the one proposed by Perkins, such as the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center in Victoria and the Chris O’Brien Living Home in NSW.

“Approximately 90 Western Australians currently leave WA each year to facilities such as the Peter Mac and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse to receive the cutting-edge treatment we hope to offer at this centre,” Mr Morton said.