Medical oncology services restored to Gold Coast Hospital
Published Wednesday, 14 November, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Two specialist doctors recruited to the Gold Coast will enable a staged return to full inpatient medical oncology services from next week, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson told State Parliament despite an ongoing international shortage of cancer specialists, Southport Hospital had successfully filled two new fulltime specialist medical oncologist positions.
“The first doctor started this week and the second will commence in January, pending Commonwealth visa processes and rigorous medical board registration,” he said.
“It means for the first time the Gold Coast will have two fulltime public oncologists.
“Their arrival allows for a staged return to full inpatient medical oncology services from next week.
“The district also has a full complement of oncology nursing staff and two haematologist positions have been filled, with a third expected in April.”
Mr Robertson said the Gold Coast had been unable to provide services for some diagnosed cancers patients since April due to medical staff shortages.
“They’ve still delivered about 340 chemotherapy treatments every month in the Cancer Day Unit and 60 patients are currently receiving treatments for their solid tumours locally at the hospital,” he said.
Mr Robertson said a number of other improvements had been delivered to enable better care for Gold Coast cancer patients including:
• additional cancer care coordinators were appointed to manage the treatment plans for all patients;
• ongoing education training for specialist oncology nurses; and
• the Gold Coast is a pilot site for the new statewide cancer patient database.
He said further improvements to oncology services – including radiation treatment services – were being considered as part of master planning for the new Gold Coast University Hospital.
14 November, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson told State Parliament despite an ongoing international shortage of cancer specialists, Southport Hospital had successfully filled two new fulltime specialist medical oncologist positions.
“The first doctor started this week and the second will commence in January, pending Commonwealth visa processes and rigorous medical board registration,” he said.
“It means for the first time the Gold Coast will have two fulltime public oncologists.
“Their arrival allows for a staged return to full inpatient medical oncology services from next week.
“The district also has a full complement of oncology nursing staff and two haematologist positions have been filled, with a third expected in April.”
Mr Robertson said the Gold Coast had been unable to provide services for some diagnosed cancers patients since April due to medical staff shortages.
“They’ve still delivered about 340 chemotherapy treatments every month in the Cancer Day Unit and 60 patients are currently receiving treatments for their solid tumours locally at the hospital,” he said.
Mr Robertson said a number of other improvements had been delivered to enable better care for Gold Coast cancer patients including:
• additional cancer care coordinators were appointed to manage the treatment plans for all patients;
• ongoing education training for specialist oncology nurses; and
• the Gold Coast is a pilot site for the new statewide cancer patient database.
He said further improvements to oncology services – including radiation treatment services – were being considered as part of master planning for the new Gold Coast University Hospital.
14 November, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680