Bone marrow transplant upgrade benefits local patients

The Townsville Hospital’s oncology ward will undergo a $1.56 million facelift creating a dedicated bone marrow transplant unit serving the people of North Queensland.

The refurbishment is being funded by the Queensland Labor Government as part of Queensland Health’s Priority Capital Program. 

Minister for Health, Cameron Dick MP said the refurbishment will provide six purpose-built single rooms for patients with complex haematological conditions including lymphoma, leukaemia and other malignant and non-malignant blood disorders.

“Bone marrow transplantation involves collecting healthy stem cells from either the patient or a compatible donor and returning them to the bloodstream after the patient undergoes high-dose chemotherapy,” Mr Dick said.

“This refurbishment will include six positively pressurised isolation rooms significantly reducing the infection risk for patients.

“People having treatment for blood cancers and other disorders have very low immunity and are highly susceptible to infection.

“Reducing the chances of infection reduces the reliance on antibiotics and antiviral drugs and reduces the length of stay of patients,” Mr Dick said.

Mr Dick said a dedicated bone marrow unit also meant The Townsville Hospital would have an opportunity to obtain accreditation for unrelated donor transplantation in the future and a real win for North Queensland.

“At the moment the hospital can only take stem cells from related donors,” Mr Dick said.

“This accreditation would allow the hospital to use stem cells from unrelated donors.

END

Media Contact: Andrew Fraser 07 3035 6118