About the centre

Our new cancer care centre at Blacktown Hospital includes new facilites for infusion services (for cancer and haematology patients), radiation therapy, support services and inpatient facilities. It is the first facility in Australia to have an informal patient-designed lounge area for chemotherapy treatment.

The ‘Chemo Lounge’ is just one of the features of our new comprehensive cancer care centre, now open at Blacktown Hospital. 
 
With a separate entry and dedicated parking area, the centre includes welcoming reception, treatment, counselling and education areas. The radiation therapy area is located on the lower entry level, with clinics and education areas above. 
 
It was designed with the help of representatives from our Cancer Support Group, who were invited by the architects and planners to share their first-hand experience of cancer treatment with the team in order to improve the design of the centre.
 
Areas were reorganised to create a welcoming reception area on each level, seating was changed from institutional rows to intimate casual groups, and the seating areas were moved to make the most of courtyard views and outdoor access.
 
Even the toilets got the once-over from the group – they were subsequently changed to allow easy access for IV stands and extra toilets were added for patient comfort.
 
The coffee lounge-style treatment area has comfortable chairs and tables arranged in small groups close to the light-drenched courtyard.
 
The centre also has a discreet, dedicated area for the Wig Library and a multipurpose space for education and complementary therapies such as yoga, meditation and tai chi.
 
A new cancer inpatient unit is conveniently located on level 7 with comfortable single and two-bed rooms, all with en-suites.

Image of Greg Long used with kind permission of Greg's family
 
 

Project snapshot

 
Project start: Mid 2013
Completed: April 2016
Main contractor: Laing O’Rourke
Budget: Part of the $700 million BMDH Expansion Project
Stage: Stage 1
Location: Blacktown Hospital clinical services building

 

Architects and designers are not always fully aware of what patients would like to have so this was a great opportunity for us. We were able to provide input on most aspects of the design. Greg Long, Cancer Support Group consumer representative