July 2005

New equipment for Peter Mac

New radiotherapy equipment at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has treated its first patients.

Among them was Jodie Fruend, who appreciated the machine’s state-of-the-art applications and its surroundings.

‘A lot of thought has gone into this space—the colours and paintings give the room a sense of calm,’ Ms Fruend said.

The machine is one of eight linear accelerators installed by Peter Mac—five in East Melbourne, one in Moorabbin and two in Box Hill.

The first component was delivered in January.

Building contractors spent several weeks preparing the bunker for the main body of the linear accelerator.

The equipment was lowered by a crane into the hospital.

Staff underwent extensive training and have steadily increased the number of patients treated.

Peter Mac is preparing Australia’s first Trilogy machine to help treat very small lesions accurately.

It is expected to be treating patients in January.