News Release
Full speed ahead Niagara Regional Cancer Center
- Date of Issue: Monday, November 25, 2002
- Français
Niagara Health System and Cancer Care Ontario approve functional program for submission to the Ministry of Health
St. Catharines , ON - Niagara Health System's (NHS) Board of Trustees tonight endorsed the Niagara Regional Cancer Centre (NRCC) Functional Program paving the way for review and approval by Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Cancer Care Ontario, a partner in the development of the centre, has also endorsed the plan which calls for the creation of $62.6 million a state-of the-art comprehensive cancer treatment centre to serve Niagara residents.
"Our approval of the functional program is an important milestone in the development of the Niagara Regional Cancer Centre. We look forward to the Ministry of Health's review and approval, " said Mr. Paul Leon, Chairman of the NHS's Board of Trustees. "It means that Cancer Care Ontario and the Niagara Health System are closer to achieving our goal to bring cancer services closer to home for the people of Niagara." The Niagara Regional Cancer Centre (NRCC) will deliver both radiation and chemotherapy services to the region's 430,000 residents. The centre will operate three radiation treatment machines along with 30 chemotherapy treatment spaces and outpatient clinic areas when it opens for patient service in late 2005.
"Submission of the Functional Program to the Ministry launches the next series of critical steps in moving towards design and construction of the Cancer Centre – a truly exciting time for the Niagara region", said Miss Linda Boich, Director of Development for the Niagara Regional Cancer Centre. Developed collaboratively by the NHS and CCO including assistance from architectural and costing experts, the Functional Program provides a comprehensive outline and analysis of all the facility and space requirements, equipment requirements and estimated costs. Based on the Functional Plan, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care cost share represents a $43.8 million investment, leaving $22.8 million to be raised locally from the Niagara region.
"We all know someone who has had to travel from Niagara to Hamilton or beyond for radiation treatment. Everyone agrees that the day can't come soon enough before we have a cancer centre right here in Niagara," said Mrs. Debbie Sevenpifer, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the NHS.