A New Era of Cancer Care in Western Australia
Western Australia is set to revolutionise cancer treatment and research with the upcoming construction of the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre in Nedlands. This development marks a significant step forward in providing advanced care to patients, aligning the state with world-leading facilities such as the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.
Once completed, the centre will offer a wide range of services, including inpatient and outpatient care, research, and education. It will also feature expanded clinical trial beds and a dedicated Cancer Care Coordination Centre (CCCC) that will provide essential support through care coordination, patient navigation, and information services.
Professor Peter Leedman, CEO of the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, highlighted the transformative potential of the centre. “Comprehensive cancer centres that integrate cutting-edge research with patient care are life-changing for many people,” he said. “The key difference between these centres and existing services in WA lies in the deep integration of medical research and clinical trials into patient treatment.”
Research has shown that collaboration between scientists and clinicians leads to better patient outcomes and a more cohesive cancer journey. In WA, one in three people will die from cancer, with over 14,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The new facility aims to address these challenges by offering state-of-the-art technology, research, and support services.
Premier Roger Cook announced the government’s commitment to the project, highlighting its importance for Western Australians facing cancer. “Most Western Australians have experienced the difficult road of cancer treatment—either personally or through loved ones,” he said. “Our support for the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre ensures that when families face their toughest fight, they have access to the best medical technology, research, and support right here at home.”
The investment is part of a broader initiative to boost the Building Hospitals Fund by $500 million to $2 billion in the 2026-27 Budget. This comes as part of a $5.5 billion hospital construction program over the next four years.
Planning for the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre will begin following the release of a masterplan for the QEII Medical Precinct. This will guide future projects at the Nedlands Health Hub.
Ben Morton, Chair of the Perkins Institute, emphasised the centre’s mission to improve the lives of cancer patients. “This centre will help deliver better research outcomes aimed at finding cures and improving treatments,” he said. “We take our responsibility very seriously and are honoured to be entrusted with this transformational project.”
Key Features of the Perkins WA Comprehensive Cancer Centre
The facility will include:
- Inpatient Services:
- 90 multi-day beds, with space for an additional 30 beds
- 40 same-day beds and chairs, including chemotherapy and haematology
Up to eight intensive care/high dependency beds
Outpatient Services:
- 36 ambulatory care/specialist clinics
- Two radiation oncology bunkers
- Four operating theatres, with space for two more
- Two procedure rooms
Seven imaging services, including CT, MRI, and PET
Research and Education Services:
- Expanded clinical trial beds, adding to the existing six beds and 18 chairs at Linear Clinical Research
- Wet and dry laboratory spaces
- Function-specific embedded research units
A cancer tissue biobank
Cancer Care Coordination Centre (CCCC):
- Care coordination, patient navigation, and information services
- Virtual health services to support regional, remote, and Aboriginal patients
- Collaboration with the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Command Centre
