CANCER is one of those insidious diseases that affects countless people in the community, year in and year out.
In coming to terms with the treatment, GenesisCare have begun establishing a new oncology unit in Shepparton that is due to open this coming December once the linear particle accelerator is installed.
The linac, as the accelerator is known, is used to fire atomic particles at cancer cells to destroy them. The unit itself will be contained in a concrete bunker where the walls and ceiling are constructed from a specially designed concrete that is 2.1m thick.
James Curtin, the site supervisor for Erilyan Projects, who is overseeing the construction, is confident that construction will be completed on schedule.
“80 to 85 percent of the subcontractors and suppliers for the project are local, which has helped get the job done on time. So far we have had around 90 people from local industries inducted to work on the site,” said James.
On completion, the oncology unit will employ around 20 people. Dr Grace Ong, who will lead a team of three oncologists along with nursing and administrative support positions for which they are now in the process of recruiting, was on site to inspect the work progress.
