Business
9 September, 2025
Balcony’s soothing view
CANCER patients will be able to view the Coral Sea from a dedicated outdoor balcony as part of a $5.6 million upgrade of cancer care facilities at Cairns Hospital.
Construction has started on the cancer care hub at the hospital, funded by a partnership between Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) and Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation (FNQHF).
Through donations to the foundation, the community has contributed $1.5m towards the project, with the Queensland Government providing the remaining funding.
Once completed in 2026, the works will include:
A dedicated outdoor balcony space on level 2, D block to create a welcoming space for patients, friends and family
A refurbishment of the day oncology treatment space in the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre
A larger pharmacy space to allow for local manufacture of chemotherapy drugs
A larger meeting room for teleconferencing with rural and remote patients.
CHHHS chief executive Leena Singh said the refurbishment would improve the patient experience through innovative treatments and local access, especially as demand for cancer services continue to grow in the Far North region.
There has been a 33 per cent increase in cancer activity at the Liz Plummer Cancer Care Centre in the past five years.
“Cancer is the greatest cause of premature death in Far North Queensland,” Ms Singh said.
“This development will reduce the need for patients to travel for treatment, increase daily treatment capacity and provide a more peaceful experience for inpatients,” she said.
Foundation chief executive Gina Hogan said the generosity of the Far Northern community had helped make the cancer care hub project a reality.
“We are deeply grateful for the community’s ongoing support, which allows us to help enhance cancer care services locally,” she said.
“This hub will provide a compassionate and modern space for patients and families during challenging times.
Key donors included Joyce Swinton, Kenfrost Homes, Mills Family Foundation, Denise and Ellis Richardson, Rotary FNQ Field Days and BDO Arrow Experience.
