CANCER patients who have been forced to travel long distances for potentially life-saving treatment will now be able to visit Epping’s Northern Hospital for chemotherapy.

More than 2000 patients a year are expected to use the new day oncology unit, which was officially opened last week.

Cancers including breast, bowel, lung and lymphoma will be treated by specialist staff at the hospital’s Cooper Street campus. The unit will operate in conjunction with the existing oncology unit in the outpatients department, which offers specialist services – but no chemotherapy.

“Patients who have been required to travel to the Austin Hospital for their chemotherapy previously can now be treated closer to home at the Northern Hospital,” said Northern Health CEO Andrew Perrignon.

Radiotherapy is not available at the new day oncology unit, but a spokesman for the Northern Hospital said it was likely that service would soon be available locally too – offered by a private company at a site near the hospital.

He said the new day oncology unit had been funded using cash from the state and federal governments, as well as community groups.

Local resident Bev Carmen, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the centre through the Can Do organisation – rustling up a $200,000 Federal Government grant – said it was wonderful to have 20 months’ work pay off.

Ms Carmen’s family was affected by cancer – a battle that inspired her fundraising campaign.

“Most of all, I can’t forget the day I walked into the office of our federal member, Fran Bailey, and poured my heart out to her, and she just said to me that she would try so hard to help with our campaign to get this service.”

Dr Perrignon said: “Other groups and individuals such as Josie Minniti have also provided invaluable fundraising support to the clinic.”

Ms Bailey, the member for McEwen, attended last week’s opening. She said the new unit would “enable cancer patients to receive treatment closer to home. It will help reduce the trauma caused by long journeys for patients and their families”.

People living in the City of Whittlesea and the Shire of Mitchell are expected to use the service, along with others from neighbouring areas.

Ethel Beech, the president of the North Western Breast Cancer Support Group, welcomed the opening of the new centre.

Ms Beech, who was diagnosed with breast cancer some time ago, said she had been treated at the Austin and Repatriation hospitals – but many other cancer patients were forced to travel into the city to receive chemotherapy.

She said it would be much more convenient for local people to be treated closer to home, particularly given the fact chemotherapy could leave cancer patients feeling ill and lethargic.