ICC-MIL
Mildura Health announces Mildura’s first radiation oncology service
May 16, 2022

We all know someone who has been impacted by cancer and we are proud to announce that Mildura Health will be building a purpose-built cancer radiation treatment centre in partnership with Icon who is a leader in cancer treatment and research in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.

Construction of the new Mildura Health Icon Cancer Centre will begin soon with the new multi-million-dollar development set to deliver radiation cancer treatment to our local community. The centre will be built on the grounds of Mildura Health Private Hospital and will have the capacity to deliver 9000 radiation therapy treatments each year, offering precise and complex treatment for more than 500 patients annually.

Mildura Health Fund Chief Executive Officer, Gerard Op de Coul says “This is a major health announcement for our region and was only possible due to the support of our 34,500 loyal members. Being a member of Mildura Health Fund is more than just about Private Health Insurance. Your support has enabled us to bring vital health services to this town. Mildura Health supports the local community, not shareholders.

“It has been a five-year journey. When we originally looked at providing this service locally it became obvious to us that we did not have the resources or the knowhow to provide such a service. Radiation treatment is extremely complex and is evolving at such a rapid pace that partnership with a large provider who specialises in this field is needed. This is why we chose the ICON group. They are the largest provider of these services Australia wide, providing these services in many of Australia’s leading Private Hospital’s such as Epworth Healthcare and Healthscope private hospitals,” said Mr Op de Coul.

Icon Group Chief Executive Officer, Mark Middleton said “With both cancer incidence and mortality in Mildura ranking higher than the Victorian average, we know how important access to cancer treatment is for the local community. No longer will cancer patients need to travel long distances away from loved ones to access the care they need or face financial and emotional stress over what can be months of treatment.”

Mildura Health Private Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Marcus Guthrie says “As Mildura Health Private Hospital continues to deliver exceptional care to the Mildura region, we look forward to expanding our available cancer care services and facilities in partnership with Icon Group and offering medical oncology to more patients upon opening. This cancer centre will ensure patients can receive cancer treatment locally to help ease the emotional, financial and social burden of travelling for care.”

“This could not have happened without the support of the Federal Government, Victorian State Government, Icon Group and our loyal and valued members. I would like to personally thank all involved in making this vision a reality” Mr Op de Coul added.

It is anticipated the Centre will be completed in late 2022 and will be accessible to both public and private patients alike.