The Alfred's new cancer centre to boost melanoma care

The $98.2m (A$152m) centre can accommodate 300 patients for treatment daily.

The Victoria state government in Australia has unveiled the Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre at The Alfred Hospital to enhance the research and care for melanoma.

The $98.2m (A$152m) centre features 25 clinic rooms and 49 chemotherapy treatment chairs, allowing a capacity for about 300 patients to receive treatment each day.

Meanwhile, the Victoria government and the Alfred Foundation made a $7.76m (A$12m) investment to deploy a Quadra Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) molecular imaging scanner at the facility. 

The technology is expected to reduce the number of follow-up scans required for patients through its simultaneous whole-body scanning capability.

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Moreover, the centre will house the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred, Alfred Cancer Services, and the Australian Clinical Trials Centre to offer patients seamless services.

The centre’s development was supported by the Victoria government, alongside contributions from the federal government, Monash University, Paula Fox and family, the Minderoo Foundation, and other donors.

The centre is expected to be fully operational by June next year, doubling its initial capacity, and performing an additional 2,600 scans annually.

(A$1 = $0.65)