Current Projects
Michael Rice Centre for Haematology and Oncology
We have committed a $2 million distribution to the new Michael Rice Centre for Haematology & Oncology (‘HOC’), which will be a state-of-the-art clinical treatment facility, delivering comprehensive cancer and blood disorder services in the one location for infants, children and young people up to 18 years of age.
Our funding support to this project will assist with the creation of this Centre of Excellence enabling the provision of first class treatment, services and more specifically the co-location of inpatients and outpatients and facilities to children and young people in South Australia and Northern Territory.
Construction of the Centre is scheduled to start in February 2010 with the opening anticipated early/mid 2012. We are immensely excited about this project and proud of the contribution to the improvement of quality and services in this sector.
We are excited to announce that the facility will be named the Michael Rice Centre for Haematology & Oncology in honour of Dr Michael Rice.
Child Family Care
We have recently established a ChildFamilyCare program that aims to decrease the impact of the treatment related effects experienced by survivors and their families through the provision of services that can improve quality of life and provide a smoother journey in surviving cancer.
There are approximately 60 children and young adults diagnosed with cancer in South Australia per year. This figure includes children from areas also services through the WCHN, such as the North Territory and other regional areas lacking their own paediatric oncology facilities.
The good news is that childhood cancer survival rates have increased dramatically over the last 30 years, from 25 % in the late 1960s, to today where the survival rate is now approximately 75%. As a result of this, worldwide research clearly demonstrates the need for increase services for survivors that assist them during their cancer treatment and after their treatment has finished.
After considerable research, the LHF identifies a significant gap in the provision of essential supports to children immediately following their diagnosis and thus decided to create a service model of child focused complementary care services known as ChildFamilyCare . Both LHF and CFC ATO approved DGRs. ChildFamilyCare (CFC) aims to decrease the impact of the treatment related effects experience by children and young adults diagnosed with cancer and their families, through the provision of service that can improve quality of life and improve a smoother journey in surviving cancer.
To learn more about CFC click here.
Recently Completed Projects
MRI Machine
In February 2010, the Health Minister, John Hill, released a press release stating the State Government is investing $2.3 million on a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (‘MRI’) machine for the Women's & Children's Health Network (WCHN).
LHF pledged a further $1 million towards the new machine.
An MRI uses magnetic field and radio frequencies to allow clinicians to see a very detailed cross-section of the body, including arteries, muscles, bones and the brain. The machine is a large cylinder with a couch that can move backwards and forwards through the cylinder and the pictures are taken inside the cylinder.
In 2002 LHF pledged $1 million towards the purchase of the WCHN’s first MRI machine. At the time the WCHN was the only children’s hospital in Australia that did not have one of these machines. The WCHN shared the MRI machine at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (‘RAH’) and only children who were well enough to be transported to the RAH would receive a scan.
Since 2003 a significant number of scans have been performed and the MRI machine needs to be upgraded. The new machine will produce better quality images and scan times will be faster, which means less time under general anaesthetic for those children who require it.
This project will deliver a new MRI machine that will assist many thousands of young South Australians.
MRI Ambient Lighting Package
The MRI Ambient Lighting Package will transform the new MRI suite into a more comfortable, less intimidating place by providing positive distraction for the patients and a more organised, efficient workplace for the staff.
This technology enables the children to select a theme for the room whilst they are undergoing treatment which provides them with a sense of control and can reduce levels of tension.
Diffused overhead 'halo' lighting coupled with soft perimeter lighting produces a pleasant wash of colour, coordinated with projected themes. Calming sounds and accompanying thematic images wrap the patient in a relaxing ambience.