There are hopes that the redevelopment of Tamworth Hospital could be on track, after yesterday’s announcement of a new cancer treatment facility at Tamworth.

The federal and state governments will provide $42 million over two years for a 14-bed facility and new equipment.

The New South Wales Government has allocated funds for the redevelopment of the hospital, but no formal plans have been announced.

The president of the Rural Doctors Association, Dr Ian Kammerman, says now would be the right time.

The Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Warren Snowdon, travelled to Tamworth for yesterday’s announcement.

He says the centre will greatly improve cancer treatment for people in the New England area.

“There will be treatment for an additional 414 radio therapy patients per year and 3,000 additional chemotherapy patients per year,” he said.

The centre will include a 14 bed treatment facility, two radio-therapy rooms, four new chemotherapy treatment chairs and new diagnostic equipment.

The facility will be based at Tamworth hospital, but will include chemotherapy services in Armidale. It’s just one of a number of regional cancer centres announced across Australia today.

The independent Member for New England, Tony Windsor, welcomed the announcement.

He says having cancer treatment facilities available locally will make a huge difference to patients and their families.

“There’s been a lot of work over the years by hundreds of people – I guess in relation to this particular announcement it’ll make a very real difference to the treatment of cancer, the relationships that people have with the families, their homes and their townships, this is a very significant announcement for our region and very welcome,” he said.