- Improving critical cancer diagnostic equipment for Western Australians
- New cyclotron to triple capacity to provide positron emission tomography scans to cancer patients
- Enables efficient diagnosis with pinpoint accuracy
- Supports research and novel new therapies for the community
A new state-of-the-art cyclotron and clinical space at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital will supercharge Western Australia's cancer-fighting capacity, following a $36 million investment from the Cook Labor Government.
The new cyclotron and clinical space will allow more patients with cancer, neurological, heart and other conditions to be diagnosed and monitored.
Forming part of the Radiopharmaceutical Production and Development Laboratories and Cyclotron Project, it includes state-of-the-art laboratories and a second cyclotron machine, providing improved access to radiopharmaceutical products for Western Australian patients and medical researchers.
Cyclotrons support the laboratories to produce radiopharmaceuticals, which are administered to patients with cancer, neurological, heart and other conditions undergoing positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
PET imaging is critical to both diagnose and monitor treatment response and disease progression.
Unlike other scans, which only show the structure of a body, a PET image shows how the body is working. They provide greater sensitivity and accuracy to diagnose and map cancers.
There has seen a significant increase in the demand for radiopharmaceuticals used in cancer diagnosis in Western Australia due to the accuracy of this technology and a growing population.
The second cyclotron and new laboratories have twice the capacity of the existing cyclotron and laboratories, with the potential to triple the capacity to provide PET scans to Western Australians.
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital was chosen to house WA's second cyclotron, as it has the highest concentration of PET cameras, making it the ideal location for the State-wide distribution of these time-critical products.
The State Government has collaborated with the Federal Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and other organisations.
The project also received $1.77 million from The University of Western Australia's National Imaging Facility (NIF).
The purpose-built facility includes a new Good Manufacturing Practice lab, which has a dedicated row of hot cells for NIF, providing key infrastructure to support important research into novel therapies.
As stated by Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey:
"This is a fantastic project delivering the latest technology to enhance the quality of care in Western Australia.
"Cyclotrons play a vital role in the health care sector, helping to provide advanced medical imaging procedures to detect deep-lying cancer.
"The new cyclotron has the potential to triple the capacity of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital's Radiopharmaceutical Production and Development Laboratories.
"It's part of our ambitious $3.2 billion health infrastructure program, which is improving equipment, clinical facilities and care across the State."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"This investment will ensure Western Australians will have access to the latest technology for diagnosis and continual management of cancer and other critical conditions.
"Importantly, this machine will support some of our most vulnerable patients such as those with cancer, neurological and heart conditions.
"This state-of-the-art facility will enhance access to care and help us meet the needs of our growing and ageing population."
