27 October 2011

Cancer house for Duffy

| johnboy
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Chief Minister Gallagher has announced the purchase of a house in Duffy to act as a residence for cancer patients and their carers:

“The house in the suburb of Duffy will be a home away from homefor cancer patients and their carers for whom long distances make it too difficult for them to travel to and from their own homes on a daily basis to receive their treatment,” the Chief Minister said.

“The property will be able to accommodate a small number of Capital Regional Cancer Service patients and their carers and provide a quiet homely environment during the treatment.

“The advantage of having the accommodation off the Canberra Hospital Campus is that the patient and their carer are away from the treatment facility, which aids their recovery,” Ms Gallagher said.

Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann, said the Australian Government had provided $1.8 million for the property purchase, extensive renovations, special furniture and equipment, landscaping and fit-out.

“The property will contain six suites and common areas which enable residents to interact and support each other through the process,” Ms Brodtmann said.

They expect it to be operational by mid 2012.

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toriness said :

bitzermaloney said :

pink little birdie said :

Capital region (in this case) refers to areas to Goulbourn,Yass, Bungendore, Queanbeyan and Cooma etc. and surrounding areas as well

Then why doesn’t NSW government pay for it?

the press release says the $1.8 million is coming from the Australian (ie federal) government.

NSW already pays ACT Health for services for its residents. See the ACT health annual report:
http://www.health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=sendfile&ft=p&fid=1317251853&sid=
However the amount is always a point of contention. The reports does say however that around 30% of emergency and elective surgery operations are performed on NSW residents!

The other side of the coin is recently the ACT govt looked into utilizing the underused Qbn hospital for some of the workload (hospital beds and theatres at TCH are tight), which I believe they would have helped to staff? To which Qbn and NSW residents took offence at ACT people using their hospital. Hahaha!
It sounded like a good idea, even if to allow some NSW residents (e.g from down the coast) to be treated in a NSW hospital (since NSW people seem to have an ‘us and them’ mentality). May as well look at the bigger picture and try to use all resources as well as possible, I say…. Not sure what happened with the idea. Does anyone know if it is going ahead?

bitzermaloney said :

pink little birdie said :

Capital region (in this case) refers to areas to Goulbourn,Yass, Bungendore, Queanbeyan and Cooma etc. and surrounding areas as well

Then why doesn’t NSW government pay for it?

the press release says the $1.8 million is coming from the Australian (ie federal) government.

s-s-a said :

Yes that’s it. You’re not the only one who saw the design and thought WTF. Consensus among locals was that it was destined to become either a suburban brothel or upmarket slum… I think the developer was just grumpy that he’d bought the block to build a dual occupancy before stumbling upon the slight problem that the block is too small (although under the new Territory Plan changes currently being mooted it wouldn’t be, haha).

Cost and time to make it operational involve several internal and external changes to make the ground floor completely wheelchair accessible – raising two decks and then entry, plus re-doing two ensuites – extending the off street parking and replacing some landscaping which sadly had died after the house went off the market.

Patient accommodation offsite from the hospital is a great thing, and IMO a very welcome addition to my community.

Yes, when I heard ACT health had bought a new 6 bedroom house in the south that was perfect for visiting patients, I thought it must be this one.
You’re right, it’s an awesome use for a new house that really only had strange options (as you mentioned!) as alternatives! 🙂 Good on ACT health for giving it a good use!

I wonder if it is this house? http://www.ljhooker.com.au/19EAFK9

It seemed kinda strange design for the middle of suburbia when I was looking around a while back….
Anyway, it’s apparently brand new so the question is, I wonder how much work needs to make it ‘operational’? Apparently ~8 months worth!!

Yes that’s it. You’re not the only one who saw the design and thought WTF. Consensus among locals was that it was destined to become either a suburban brothel or upmarket slum… I think the developer was just grumpy that he’d bought the block to build a dual occupancy before stumbling upon the slight problem that the block is too small (although under the new Territory Plan changes currently being mooted it wouldn’t be, haha).

Cost and time to make it operational involve several internal and external changes to make the ground floor completely wheelchair accessible – raising two decks and then entry, plus re-doing two ensuites – extending the off street parking and replacing some landscaping which sadly had died after the house went off the market.

Patient accommodation offsite from the hospital is a great thing, and IMO a very welcome addition to my community.

“Cancer is the most common cause of death in the ACT, and while there have been significant increases in survival rates over the last 20 years for most types of cancer, the incidence of cancer is increasing as a result of an ageing of the population.” ACT Health website

Which got me thinking.

The Rudd Govt introduced a 25% (2009?) federal tax increase on cigarettes, which was meant to be spent on health services due to the strain of smoking related illness on cancer facilities ect….. So far the extra tax has contributed to an extra $5.5 billion a year in extra tax revenue. Thats around $16.5billion total in new tax since it was introduced.

Divided that total evenly (which the Govt doesn’t) into each state = $2,062,500,000.

Meaning the ACT Govt alone could have built around 1100 cancer houses in Canberra and surrounding areas since its introduction. Or could have built 46 of the long awaited Capital Region Cancer Centre (46.5m each)

So yeah a big thumbs up to Chief Minister Gallagher….

**All calculations done quickly.

bitzermaloney said :

Where exactly is the “regional” section of the ACT? Jervis Bay?

Well, Canberra isnt the only township in the ACT. There is also Williamsdale, Hall, Pierces Creek and Tharwa, etc.

bitzermaloney2:12 pm 27 Oct 11

pink little birdie said :

Capital region (in this case) refers to areas to Goulbourn,Yass, Bungendore, Queanbeyan and Cooma etc. and surrounding areas as well

Then why doesn’t NSW government pay for it?

I wonder if it is this house?

http://www.ljhooker.com.au/19EAFK9

It seemed kinda strange design for the middle of suburbia when I was looking around a while back….
Anyway, it’s apparently brand new so the question is, I wonder how much work needs to make it ‘operational’? Apparently ~8 months worth!!

pink little birdie12:24 pm 27 Oct 11

Capital region (in this case) refers to areas to Goulbourn,Yass, Bungendore, Queanbeyan and Cooma etc. and surrounding areas as well

bitzermaloney12:14 pm 27 Oct 11

Where exactly is the “regional” section of the ACT? Jervis Bay?

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