Far North Queenslanders now have access to enhanced cancer care closer to home, thanks to a partnership  between the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, its generous donors and the Cairns and Hinterland  Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS).  

The $5.6 million Cancer Care Hub at Cairns Hospital has been brought to life through more than $1.5 million in  community fundraising, with support from local donors, events and corporate partners helping transform  cancer care for the region.  

Funds raised through initiatives including the Foundation’s signature events, community giving and donor  contributions have helped deliver a range of patient-focused improvements.

The Cancer Care Hub includes a new outdoor balcony on Level 2, D Block, offering patients, families and friends a  welcoming space with one of the best hospital views in Australia; and a significantly expanded pharmacy enabling local manufacture of chemotherapy drugs.

There is a refurbished day oncology treatment space in the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre; a larger, modern meeting room with upgraded teleconferencing technology to better support rural  and remote patients and increased patient interview rooms to enable more private health conferences. 

Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said the project was a powerful example of what could be achieved when the  community came together to support local healthcare.

“This Cancer Care Hub exists because our community  stepped up,” Mrs Hogan said.

“Every ticket purchased at a fundraising event, every donation made and every  partnership formed has helped create a space that supports patients not just clinically, but emotionally and  socially as well.

“We are incredibly grateful to the donors, event participants and supporters who made this  possible. Their generosity is making a real difference for people facing cancer in Far North Queensland.” 

CHHHS Chief Executive Leena Singh said the Cancer Care Hub represented a transformative step forward for  cancer care in the region.

“This project is about creating a space that fosters healing, comfort and connection  for patients and their loved ones during some of the most challenging times of their lives,” Ms Singh said. 

“Our new balcony space provides a calming environment with stunning views of the Cairns Esplanade and  Coral Sea, supporting emotional wellbeing alongside the excellent medical care we deliver.” 

She said the refurbished day oncology space increased capacity with additional treatment chairs, bringing the total to 20.

“This means we can treat more patients each day and improve access to lifesaving care,” she said. “Our new expanded pharmacy inside the Cancer Care Centre will allow local production of chemotherapy  drugs for the first time. This new facility will streamline workflows and help us meet the growing demand for  cancer treatment across Far North Queensland, delivering timelier, high-quality care closer to home.”