A new Christchurch radiation treatment facility, built to replace underground treatment bunkers damaged in the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, is now treating cancer patients.

As the nation continues to assess the damage of this week’s deadly 7.5 magnitude earthquake northeast of Christchurch that impacted central New Zealand, the $17 million purpose-built St George’s Cancer Care - The Glasson Centre is providing a new approach to treating cancer in the wake of its earthquake rebuild.

The centre, part of the hospital’s ongoing $130 million redevelopment, is providing radiation and chemotherapy treatment while also providing allied health services from consultations with speech language therapists to dietary advice, exercise classes, as well as consultations with physiotherapists and psychologists.

The centre also features the highly-focused radiotherapy treatment, Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (ASBR), which delivers an intense dose concentrated on a tumour while limiting radiation exposure to the surrounding organ.

Prime Minister John Key officially opened the facility this month. The centre has treated about 400 patients, with most aged between 45 and 80, since it became operational in March.

“Earlier diagnosis, improved survival rates and advanced technology means more people are now living with a diagnosis of cancer and requiring ongoing treatment, monitoring and support," says oncologist Associate Professor Chris Atkinson.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in New Zealand. The latest statistics show more than 22,100 new cases of cancer, including 2220 Māori and 19,946 non-Māori were registered in the nation in 2013.

The most common cancers were prostate, with 3129 cases, colorectal with 3075, breast with 3046, melanoma with 2366, and lung with 2037. There were more than 9060 deaths due to cancer.

While aftershocks continue to strike New Zealand, the new Kaikoura Hospital is reported to have not been damaged from the major quake. The Kaikoura community pharmacy closed but has since been dispensing from the hospital.

Despite the wild weather and continued aftershocks, the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board says there has been no new damage to its key facilities in Nelson and Wairau.

“The Marlborough Health Hub in Blenheim has sustained some damage and remains closed. Public Health services have relocated to Wairau Hospital. The Richmond Health Hub is fully operational,” its website states.

Capital & Coast District Health Board, which operates Wellington Regional and Kenepuru Hospitals, states no significant damage has been sustained, and “all seismic joints and foundations acted as designed”.

“As such, all outpatient clinics and appointments are going ahead as scheduled – however some surgeries have had to be deferred due to staff absence as a result of the earthquake.”