Riverina Cancer Care Centre: World class cancer service in regional Australia

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People tend not to think too much about cancer treatment facilities, if cancer has not affect their lives. People who have been touched by cancer or who have loved ones who have, are altogether more familiar with what types of services are required.

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The New South Wales region of the Riverina is famous for its love of sport, is one of the most productive and diverse agricultural areas in the country and is a haven for lovers of fine foods and wines. The region also is home to one of the leading cancer services in Australia. The Riverina Cancer Care Centre (RCCC) was established in March, 2002 providing patients with access to Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials and comprehensive Oncology support services. The Centre services a regional catchment of nearly 250,000 people with almost 10,500 patients accessing the service since establishment.
During the last 12 years the RCCC has continued to grow and develop ensuring regional cancer patients have available a world class service and importantly, without waiting. From day one, the management and staff set out to ensure patients have access to state-of-the-art treatment without joining a waiting list, whilst maintaining Medicare Schedule Fee charges for both Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy treatments.
When a patient is diagnosed with cancer there is often the urge to take immediate action, so imagine how dispiriting and frightening it is if it takes weeks to even get an appointment. Damien Williams, Managing Director said “We pride ourselves on quality service and quick access to care. There is no reason why a cancer patient should join a waiting list for potentially life-saving treatment or travel to outside our region for treatment. Occasionally, cancer patients from many regional areas are misinformed that they will get better Radiation therapy treatment by travelling to metropolitan centres. This is a significant burden and stress on regional patients, an additional cost and just not required. The best possible care and Radiation therapy treatment is available here in the Riverina including IMRT and IGRT on brand new equipment, just like many other regional cancer centres which have come on line over recent years.
Clinical cancer trials form an essential component to any modern and quality cancer service. The RCCC has a wellestablished clinical trials unit making available over 30 clinical trials including both Radiation Oncology trials, Medical Oncology trials and various cancer studies for patients to enrol and access if deemed suitable.
Along with the rest of Australia there is still a way to go to achieve the accepted benchmarks of at least 50% of cancer patients will require Radiotherapy at least once during the course of their illness. Some cancer patients who will benefit from Radiation Therapy unfortunately are not referred. We need to continue to educate GP’s, Specialists, local health care professionals together with the community on the benefits of modern Radiation Therapy. Access is not a problem with the RCCC well equipped and staffed to treat more patients. Currently, the centre has the treatment capacity (Linear Accelerators) for approximately 60 % more patients.
The RCCC is a unique organisation both in its structure and function. The community played a huge role in its establishment through facilitated a massive fundraising effort to allow a centre of this magnitude and quality to be built. “We continue to be committed to provide cancer patients from our region and beyond the highest quality service in an environment they feel extremely comfortable” said Mr Williams. “Our staff remain our greatest asset and we will continue to build, develop and enhance our service. The Riverina community dared to dream in early 2000, we will continue to make it a reality for future regional cancer patients”.
The Riverina Cancer Care Centre has been made possible through the formation of several cooperative partnerships. The Riverina Cancer Care Centre has provided the equipment and staffing and is responsible for the running and ongoing maintenance of the centre. The Little Company of Mary Health Care (Calvary Hospital) has made available the land upon which the centre has been built and the Riverina Cancer Care Community Trust has facilitated the community’s fundraising efforts to allow a centre of this magnitude and quality to be built.
The Riverina Cancer Care Centre recognises the importance of education. Consequently through affiliations with institutions such as the University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, University of Newcastle, University of Notre Dame and Charles Sturt University the centre is utilised for the purpose of teaching and training Medical, Nursing, Radiation Therapy and Medical Physics students.
The dream of a comprehensive cancer care centre in regional NSW became a reality in 2002 and the Riverina Cancer Care Centre continues to ensure every patient has access to the highest quality and best possible care without joining a waiting list.
For more information please call (02) 6932 1000 Visit us at www.riverinacancercare.com.au Or email info@riverinacancercare.com.au