MURWILUMBAH and district residents suffering certain types of cancer will be able to receive treatment at Murwillumbah Hospital rather than Tweed Head following the opening of a new oncology unit yesterday.

Northern NSW Local Health Network chief executive Chris Crawford joined with cancer specialist Professor Ehtesham Abdi to use a pair of surgical scissors to cut a purple ribbon in the new unit, declaring it open.

Mr Crawford said the “satellite oncology unit” would allow patients who had been travelling to Tweed Heads to be treated in Murwillumbah.

Not only would they be treated closer to home, he said, but many would be treated on a “walk-in, walk-out basis” rather than needing to be admitted to hospital.

On hand at the official opening were local photographers who had pooled their efforts to raise nearly $4000 for some extra patient comforts in the unit. They also donated photographic artworks for the walls.

Justin Ealand said he was inspired to join with fellow photographers Tristan Evison and Trevor Worden to do something to help the hospital in thanks for the treatment his wife Kirsten recently received at Tweed Hospital.

Mr Crawford said studies had revealed cancer rates on the North Coast were higher than rural areas and the need for the service would increase.