Three new additions to Armidale oncology team

4 March 2009

Armidale’s cancer services are going from strength to strength, with the addition of two senior medical oncology registrars and a breast care nurse to the oncology unit this year.

Senior oncology registrars Dr Mustafa Khasraw and Dr Laurence Kreiger from Royal North Shore Hospital will work with Armidale’s visiting oncologists Associate Professor David Bell and Dr Nick Pavlakis, to conduct patient consultations.

Armidale Hospital Oncology Unit Clinical Nurse Consultant in Charge Pam Pateman said the addition of the registrars would allow more patients to be seen through the clinic and would contribute towards Hunter New England Health’s ongoing recruitment of specialists to regional areas.

“We’re hoping that by working in Armidale, they will gain some insight into rural practice and the challenges rural cancer patients face in obtaining treatment,” Mrs Pateman said.

The registrars have boosted the hospital’s already comprehensive service, which has been continually strengthened in the past 10 years.

Initial radiation oncology clinics began in Armidale when Dr Michael Izard started outreach clinics from The Mater Hospital, Sydney. Medical oncology services were commenced by Associate Professor David Bell in 1999. In 2003 he was joined by his medical oncology colleague Dr Nick Pavlakis.

The team was boosted in 2006 with the introduction of two part-time positions, oncology Social Worker Fiona Ord and Rural Cancer Care Coordinator Jo Bindley. In 2007 Pam Roberts was appointed as part-time Clinical Trails Coordinator.

Most recently, Armidale Oncology Unit welcomed Helen Goodall as the part-time McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse.

Helen and Jo also work as part of the nursing team in the chemotherapy clinic along with Pam Pateman, Colleen Dye, Sally Robertson and Claire Cunningham.

Mrs Pateman said the residents of Armidale and the surrounding district had also played a huge role in strengthening cancer services in the past year.

“Last year significant fundraising occurred on our behalf and from it we purchased medical and nursing equipment such as an examination couch, oxygen concentrator, Port O Cath education package, a lymphoedema machine and further books for the patient library,” Mrs Pateman said.

The Oncology team would like to publicly thank the New England district for its ongoing support.

Contact: Emma Gibbs

Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767