Cancer care provider GenesisCare has marked more than 150,000 radiotherapy treatments across its two centres in Wide Bay, while recognising its long-standing team members for their service to the local community.
To help meet the increasing demand for radiotherapy GenesisCare’s clinical and support teams in Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast are continually embracing new technologies, treatments and protocols.
GenesisCare Queensland General Manager Steve Nguyen said the healthcare professionals had served the Wide Bay community since introduction of the service in 2018.
“We have responded to local needs by doubling the number of radiation therapy machines in Bundaberg and Fraser Coast and supporting our teams to continually evolve treatment delivery with evidence-based and best-practice advances,” Mr Nguyen said.
“One example of this is introducing hypofractionated radiotherapy at our centres, which involves providing higher doses of radiation over a shorter period to patients who meet certain criteria, which reduces the number of appointments they need.
“These developments maintain low wait times for patients and have increased access to treatment by around 40% since we launched our service because we can operate more efficiently.”
He said on average, radiotherapy patients in Wide Bay commence treatment 9.1 days after their referral was received and this was faster than the industry target.
Mr Nguyen thanked the medical staff, engineers, and patient services officers at GenesisCare who regularly participated in training to increase their capabilities as its services evolved.
“Our teams go above and beyond as they strive to deliver the best possible care for every patient,” he said.
“We’re recognising team members who have been working in our cancer care centres to serve the Wide Bay community for five or more.”
Bundaberg GenesisCare patient Wayne said he was grateful for the local service.
“Travelling to Brisbane for treatment just isn’t an option for me,” Wayne said.
“Here in Bundaberg, I can have my treatment with my partner next to me, rest in my own home where I am safe and comfortable.
“The people treating me don’t feel like strangers, they know who I am – they’re like neighbours or friends.”
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn thanked the long-standing team members at GenesisCare Bundaberg.
“It takes a truly special person to work in cancer care,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“These professionals not only provide clinical care but bring compassion and empathy to local patients when it is needed most.
“Recruiting and retaining healthcare workers can be challenging in regional areas, so it’s wonderful to hear that so many of these highly specialised team members are continuing to live and work in Wide Bay to benefit our community.”
GenesisCare Bundaberg Centre Leader Lyn Tate said they were proud to be part of the local healthcare network in Wide Bay.
“The community ties we have developed over the years are important to us,” she said.
“We strive to listen to our local patients, healthcare partners and local First Nations communities.
“A better understanding of our community helps us tailor care for Wide Bay locals as we work towards improving health outcomes in the region.”
GenesisCare provides access to free radiotherapy for public patients for most adult cancer types at these clinics as part of a long-standing public-private partnership agreement with Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services.
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said the opportunity for patients to receive care closer to home, ensuring they can access essential treatments without the burden of long-distance travel, was highly valued.
“Through our partnership with GenesisCare centres in Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast our patients receive timely and personalised radiotherapy treatment, improving health outcomes for our local community,” she said.
GenesisCare’s radiation therapy centres in Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast offer supportive access to modern radiation therapy techniques, with both centres achieving high patient satisfaction ratings.
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Bundaberg is very fortunate too have another 1st class medical facility as in Geniuses Care which also offers home pick up and return to those that need it