END OF AN ERA: Jean Colvin Cancer Centre has been sold with a new plan in place to accommodate cancer patients in Sydney.
JEAN Colvin Cancer Centre for country cancer patients has been sold off for $6.9 million to fund an alternative accommodation centre for country cancer patients..
Formerly known as the Jean Colvin Hospital, the two storey building on the foreshores of Sydney harbour has been close to the heart of Orange residents and particularly the Can Assist group as it was donated by former Orange resident Jean Colvin.
Chief executive officer of Can Assist Richard Appleby said the mansion has been sold to a Sydney-based orthopaedic surgeon who practises one day a week in rural NSW.
“It’s nice to think that there is still going to be a country connection,” he said.
The last group of cancer patients to use the home away from home will vacate the premises the week before Christmas.
Mr Appleby said funds from the sale will go towards sourcing more appropriate and affordable accommodation for country patients.
“Can Assist is working with state and federal governments, the Leukaemia Foundation and hospitals to source a new property to become the Can Assist accommodation centre in Sydney,” he said.
The role of the Jean Colvin Cancer Centre has changed since Orange began offering radiotherapy services and accommodation on site at Bloomfield and since chemotherapy services have expanded out of Orange Health Service.
It is now only patients requiring specialist cancer treatment who use the facility.
Mr Appleby said plans to set up a new accommodation model in Sydney will include a self-sustaining business model with a mix of supported and commercial accommodation.
“The commercial side of the venture will subsidise the costs of accommodating country cancer patients,” he said.
Can Assist has in the last 12 months sponsored a room at the accommodation centre at Bloomfield for radiotherapy patients and it has been named the Jean Colvin room.
