redevelopment.

Anne Jacob said the centre was a fantastic announcement and praised the efforts of Hunter New England Health staff who prepared submissions in support of extra cancer facilities in

Tamworth.

“It’s indicative of the quality of the people who we’re lucky enough to have,” Ms Jacob said.

“It’s fantastic news. I’m absolutely delighted.”

She said she was encouraged by NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Health Dr Andrew McDonald’s comments that a second linear accelerator, used for radiotherapy treatments, would be easier to get if the first one was established.

She hoped it would mean the community wouldn’t have to carry out a protracted fight to get a second linear

accelerator.

“I was very encouraged by his comments and hope that we won’t have to fight too hard to get the next one ... in the near future ... and that it’ll just be automatic,” Ms Jacob said.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity for the community to see the plan for this centre.”

Cancer Council Australia chief executive officer Professor Ian Oliver said it was well-documented that Australians diagnosed with cancer had poorer treatment outcomes the further they lived from a city where they could receive multi-disciplinary cancer care.

In 2008, 37 per cent of cancer patients from Tamworth and the surrounding area travelled to Sydney for radiotherapy treatment, while 12 per cent were treated at Calvary Mater Newcastle, 26 per cent travelled to Queensland and 22 per cent travelled to the NSW North Coast.