Compassionate clinicians are supporting cancer patients through life-changing diagnoses and treatment at Bass Coast Health.
The theme of World Cancer Day on 4 February is ‘United by Unique’ and places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation.
The dedicated team at L. Rigby Centre at Wonthaggi Hospital always places patients’ best interests at the forefront of the work they do. Together, they provide excellent care close to patients’ homes, saving them the emotional, physical and financial toll of travelling to Melbourne or the Latrobe Valley where possible.
Patient Cheryl Lindsay said she will forever be grateful to her BCH team of Medical Oncologists, Professor Mark Shackleton and Dr Mitchell Chipman, and the Cancer Nurses at Wonthaggi Hospital.
“When you’re told you have cancer, you feel as though your world is falling apart, but then with all the scans and treatment, you don’t get time to think about what’s going on, just the results of the tests and the treatment, and your family,” she said.
Cheryl has been coming to Wonthaggi Hospital for treatment for lung cancer every three weeks for 12 months and is now in remission.
“The staff here are just brilliant. The Oncologists are all just fantastic doctors,” Cheryl said.
“I can’t praise the place enough. When you are down, the staff lift you up. They laugh with you and they cry with you.
“It’s absolutely brilliant to be able to have this care close to home because my husband doesn’t have to take time off work. If I had to go to Melbourne it would be at least a four-hour round-trip and three hours of treatment. It would require an overnight stay.
“It’s not just easier for patients though, because having this treatment facility locally creates jobs for the staff too.”
BCH’s cancer service continues to grow, providing 1,020 admitted cancer treatments in the L. Rigby Centre in 2023-24.
BCH has an amazing team of Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health staff who work alongside cancer specialists from Alfred Health, providing proven treatment options and extra services.
The cancer team at BCH includes Medical Oncologists, Haematologists, Breast Surgeons, a Radiation Oncologist, a Dermatologist, a Palliative Care Medical Specialist, a McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse, a Melanoma Specialist and a Lymphoedema Physiotherapist, along with many other Allied Health professionals and the L. Rigby Centre cancer team.
Wonthaggi Hospital also offers comprehensive Radiology services: a MRI, CT, Ultrasound and mammograms through Breast Screen Victoria.
“Our longstanding partnership with Alfred Health means that local cancer patients can receive the care they need from Alfred specialists at Wonthaggi, rather than travel to Melbourne when that’s the last thing they feel like doing,” Interim BCH CEO Simone Alexander said.
To receive cancer treatment at BCH, ask your medical practitioner to email a referral to access@basscoasthealth.org.au or fax 03 9102 5307.