Springfield health boost welcomed

GREENBANK mother Lee Kenny knows how urgent the need for a cancer treatment facility in the area is.

When her husband Peter was diagnosed with stage four Non Hodgkins Lymphona in 2009, the family had to travel to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba for his treatment.

Mrs Kenny said she lost count of the number of times she had to make the 45-minute trip to and from the hospital.

Fortunately, residents will be spared that ordeal with Prime Minister Julia Gillard's promise to construct a new cancer care centre in Springfield.

Ms Gillard last week pledged $21.4 million to establish the service.

She said the much needed development would have a positive impact on the treatment and recovery of patients in the area.

"There has been something missing," Ms Gillard said.

"And that has been the ability for people to get care for cancer in their local community."

Ms Gillard said the new centre would reduce the need for patients in the western corridor to travel to facilities in Brisbane or Toowoomba for treatment.

The region has been identified as having one of the highest needs for radiotherapy services in Queensland.

Mrs Kenny shared her experience with the Prime Minister before the announcement, and said the new facility would be a real benefit to the expanding community.

Mater Health Services and the Springfield Land Corporation are working in partnership to develop the facility.

It will offer radiation oncology and will have consultation rooms, as well as a research unit.