Central Illinois Hospital Expands Cancer Center to Accommodate Growing Patient Numbers

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MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — With cancer diagnoses on the rise each year, the Sarah Bush Lincoln Regional Cancer Center is stepping up its efforts to provide comprehensive care throughout Central Illinois. This growing demand has highlighted the urgent necessity for expanding their facilities.

The center’s director underscored the importance of this expansion, noting the significant increase in patient visits. In 2020, the center managed 25,000 visits, but this year, they are anticipating nearly 47,000. This surge has propelled the center to rapidly advance its expansion plans.

“Our parking lot is usually full by 9 or 9:30 in the morning,” remarked Natasha Deters, Director of the Regional Cancer Center.

Deters explained that the center has experienced a notable rise in patient numbers over the past five years, partially due to Sarah Bush Lincoln’s outreach into new counties across Central Illinois.

Additionally, the introduction of new blood screening technology in Urbana is part of the ongoing effort to enhance cancer care in the region.

Which means they’re having to think outside of the box more often.

“We’re having to get pretty creative with scheduling, with those. So kind of being flexible, starting maybe a little early, finishing up a little bit later,” Deters said.

But, a helpful change is coming — one that will take hard hats and hammers. The hospital says they’re planning to add close to 15,000 square feet of space to their current 22,000 square foot facility.

“We will jump from the 10 exam rooms to 19. We will expand significantly … more room to get patients back. Providers will have more rooms to see patients. And then with the infusion room, we will go from those 21 chairs to 36,” Deters said.

They will also increase their patient and visitor waiting room, add more parking and a dedicated lab space. Deters said these changes will not just help get more people in the door — but also give them quicker treatment and help save more lives.

“By expanding and expanding the pharmacy space as well, we’re going to be able to add in home infusion, as well as infusion services, because everyone will be able to utilize that same pharmacy,” Deters said.

They say it will be well worth it.

“We’ve done a wonderful job of accommodating those growing pains, but I think everyone is just really excited to be able to expand and grow and, you know, to have that space where we can continue to take care of our patients,” Deters said.

Deters said the work will have very little impact on seeing patients because it will be done in phases. They’re looking to start construction in April of next year and think phase one will be done that winter.