Taranaki Cancer Care centre design first look
2 November 2022
The first look at the Taranaki Cancer Care Centre design has been released - with patient well-being and environmental sustainability given top priority.
The purpose-built facility on the Base Hospital campus in New Plymouth will house a new linear accelerator (LINAC) – which uses radiation to destroy cancer cells while leaving surrounding tissue undamaged - and bring all related oncology outpatient services under one roof.
When commissioned in late 2024, the facility will not only be a 5-star Green Star certified building but will have the latest in modern cancer treatment technologies and user design.
The design for the new Taranaki Cancer Centre includes;
- LINAC Radiotherapy Unit
- Ten chairs and two single isolation rooms for chemotherapy
- Eight outpatient consult rooms with video conferencing capability
- Restful and appropriate décor wait spaces
- Whānau facilities
- Accessible facilities with carer assisted change and toilet rooms
- Staff offices and amenities
To be considered for the 5-star Green Star rating, a building needs to have strong sustainability principles ingrained into the design and construction.
This includes reduced energy and water consumption, improved indoor environments (natural light, thermal comfort, and air quality), the use of sustainable materials and reduced impact on the surrounding environment. Not only will this mean that the building will help reduce Te Whatu Ora Taranaki’s carbon and energy footprint, it is also expected to have a significant benefit to staff, patient and whānau wellbeing.
The integration of cancer treatment services means that Taranaki patients will no longer have to attend their appointments at multiple locations and facilities.
This will particularly benefit the more than 300 Taranaki people each year who require radiation treatment having to make what is often a difficult journey to Palmerston North and endure what can be a lengthy stay away from friends, whānau and other support networks. Around 80% of cancer patients that require radiation treatment in the Taranaki district can have all of their treatment locally apart from one planning visit to Palmerston North.
“This centre will directly enhance the patient pathway, experience and overall outcome for Taranaki people diagnosed with cancer,” says Gillian Campbell, Te Whatu Ora Taranaki Interim District Director.
“The benefits that being able to access radiation treatment in Taranaki will bring to those who need it should not be under-estimated, along with having our specialists and other oncology services under one roof”.
“This project is an exciting addition to the Project Maunga Stage 2 facility development work already underway to ensure that people living in the region have access to modern secondary healthcare for years to come.”
Preparation work on the site for the centre, the unused laundry building in the Base Hospital carpark, has already begun. Construction work is expected to start early 2023, with a targeted construction completion date of late 2024.
Last updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022