A world-leading cancer centre’s sensitive treatment equipment may need to be relocated during construction of Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel.

Radiotherapy machines needing to operate with pinpoint accuracy at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre could be affected by vibrations from the underground works.

A spokesman for the Parkville site operator, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, said they had been in talks with Melbourne Metro Rail Authority and the state government about potential impacts.

Vibrations from the tunnelling are expected to impact hospital wards, ICUs and other facilities in the centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital for up to nine days, according to the project’s environment effects statement.

Equipment at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Peter Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine and Howard Florey Laboratories may also experience vibrations, above stipulated guidelines, for up to two weeks on two occasions.

This may lead to the use of equipment to be rescheduled or relocated temporarily, the statement reads.

Melbourne Metro Rail Authority CEO Evan Tattersall told reporters on Tuesday they were working with the hospitals to minimise impacts to operations.

“We have worked with the hospitals and done a complete assessment of all of the gear that they have got. The sensitive receivers, sensitive equipment, we know what they’ve got,” he said.

We have worked with the manufacturers to understand how that equipment works and some of the solutions we are working through we are yet to get to the final detail.

“Our number one priority is to ensure patient care.”

A caller to ABC radio on Tuesday said there were dedicated radiotherapy bunkers three levels below ground beneath the centre and it was not just as simple as shifting the machines elsewhere.

But Mr Tattersall would not confirm any detail.

He said there were challenges and they were working through the design and construction details with any costs from the potential impacts to be worn by the Metro authority.

A government spokeswoman said they were working closely with hospitals and other institutions to manage any potential impacts once major construction gets underway.

Tunnelling is due to take place near Peter Mac in 2020.