July 22, 2016
Some cancer treatments could begin at the Lady Bjelke-Petersen Private Hospital in Kingaroy as early as next month, a meeting of local GPs was told on Thursday evening.
QUT Adjunct Associate Professor Maryanne Hargraves, who has more than 30 years experience in oncology, addressed the small gathering at the hospital and explained the steps that were necessary to establish a cancer treatment service in Kingaroy.
Prof Hargraves, who helped to establish the Oncology Ward at Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital, said the plan was for the Lady Bjelke-Petersen Hospital to become a “Level 3” chemotherapy treatment facility.
Patients would undergo their initial cycles of treatment at a Level 4-6 facility, ie. in Toowoomba or Brisbane, before continuing their treatment in Kingaroy, coupled with follow-up video consultations with specialists.
The treatments would be delivered by chemotherapy-proficient nurses.
Prof Hargraves then introduced Associate Professor Sabe Sabesan, from the Townsville Tele Oncology Network, who addressed the meeting via Skype.
Prof Sabesan has been establishing tele-medicine, tele-nursing and tele-pharmacy services in northern Queensland, and explained how a similar process could operate in Kingaroy.
Hospital manager Leith MacMillan said two nurses would be sent to Toowoomba to receive training and then the first treatments, initially using blood products, would begin in August.
“We just need to get the message out to patients that they really want to have their treatments here,” Ms MacMillan said.
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First Private Surgical List
Earlier on Thursday, the Lady Bjelke-Petersen Hospital celebrated another milestone … the first private surgical list was scheduled.
South Bank Day Hospital announced the commencement of ophthalmic surgery, using the skills and expertise of a local ophthalmologist Dr Damien O’Brien and anaesthetist Dr Jim Eadie.
Up until Thursday, surgeons at the newly re-opened hospital have completed government lists for paediatric dental patients.
However, on Thursday 10 private patients underwent eye procedures, which included removal of cataracts and pterygia.
A further surgical list is scheduled for next Monday (July 25) with endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures to be conducted by Toowoomba General Surgeon, Dr Iman Antoun.
South Bank Day Hospital is now in the process of recruiting other doctors interested in recommencing lists at the Kingaroy hospital, including a gynaecologist and orthopaedic surgeon.
“The commencement of the first private surgical list is another exciting milestone in our ongoing development of the new centre of excellence in health care for the South Burnett region,” SBDH Executive Director Prof Mark Radford said.
“As we continue to expand the medical services offered at the hospital, we remain committed to providing quality health care that is accessible for all regional Queenslanders.”
