Hospital 'pushes boundaries of regional care'

Leukaemia and blood cancer patients in regional Queensland are benefiting from a new dedicated cancer care centre at St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital.

The department offers 25 chemotherapy chairs, with expanded rehabilitation services, and aims to build on its established treatments for breast, prostate and other cancers, as well as oncology support.

Dr Marcus Dickey, a haematologist working with St Andrew's, said more capable blood cancer treatment options were vital for country patients.

"Recently there was an atypical (blood cancer) presentation," he said.

"Cancer is often seen as slow and grumbling, but in this case the progression was almost explosive.

"The patient was referred to St Andrew's on a Monday, and by Tuesday they needed a bone-marrow biopsy. St Andrew's was able to step up.

"Capital city hospitals often house these critical services, so regional patients must uproot their entire lives, sometimes in as little time as hours, to attend them."

He said a transfer to a Brisbane hospital would have taken "critical hours".

"In this case, even though the illness presented in uncharacteristically complex ways, a transfer was not necessary," Dr Dickey said.

"The complex array of services and disciplines needed to deliver the vital care was available right here at St Andrew's."

His colleague Dr Joel Collins said in most cases, local haematologists could undertake the care patients needed in Toowoomba.

"It's about the vast majority of patients avoiding relocation to Brisbane for treatment," said Dr Collins, who founded Toowoomba Haematology and Oncology Clinic in 2017 and also consults at St Andrew's.

"St Andrew's is achieving a critical mass of doctors and disciplines, and thanks to that broad range of capabilities we are able to treat even high-intensity blood cancers here."

St Andrew's Toowoomba CEO Linda Jorgensen said the hospital wanted to continue building on its reputation for "innovation and excellence" in care for the Darling Downs region.

"From pioneering robotic surgery to leading advancements in cardiac care, this hospital continues to push the boundaries of what's possible outside metropolitan centres," she said.

"With its 25 chemotherapy chairs supporting the new Cancer Department and expanded rehabilitation services on the horizon, St Andrew's is establishing itself as a regional leader in cancer treatment.

"This is about ensuring that every patient has access to the best possible care, without having to leave their community.

"It's not just about better medical outcomes – it's about making life easier for patients and their families."

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