Claudia Doman
21 January 2016: Icon Group, Australia's fastest growing integrated cancer care provider, has received approval from the Commonwealth to establish a new state-of-the-art cancer centre at the University of Canberra.
The Radiation Oncology Centre will increase the availability of radiation and medical oncology services in the ACT and surrounding region, while also providing significant training and research opportunities for the University's staff and students.
The centre, which is the latest addition to the University's rapidly growing Health Precinct, will be built and operated by Icon's radiation oncology arm, ROC. It will incorporate two radiotherapy bunkers and will be joined by a comprehensive Icon Medical Oncology department.
The University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker said the establishment of this centre provides exciting opportunities for students, including those embarking on the new Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging), which commences this semester.
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Icon Group CEO Mark Middleton announces the new cancer centre alongside University Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker and ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Photo: Vanessa Lam
"This new cancer centre will allow our students access to an advanced facility where they will be able to do clinical placements," Professor Parker said.
"In addition, it will allow our academic staff and research students a range of opportunities to collaborate on service provision and undertake research activities across different areas, including medical oncology, radiation oncology and chemotherapy."
Icon Group CEO Mark Middleton said 'The Icon Group is committed to increasing the accessibility of high quality comprehensive cancer care services to Australians, and we are delighted to be able to expand the local treatment options available to the people of Canberra with this new centre.'
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr welcomed the news. "The new Radiation Oncology Centre is a shining example of what is now possible at the University of Canberra thanks to the ACT Government planning reforms.
"Health services are critical to the community and I'm pleased to see more oncology treatment will now be available to more Canberrans."
The new facility is scheduled to open in late 2017.
