New Rotorua private oncology clinic a first for Southern Cross network

Cancer patients in the southern Bay of Plenty now have the option of receiving treatment locally with the opening of a new private oncology clinic at Southern Cross Hospital Rotorua.

The hospital has partnered with private oncologist Doctor Anna Goodwin, a team of radiation oncologists from the Kathleen Kilgour Centre in Tauranga and specialist nurses to provide medical and radiation oncology services.

It is the first wholly-owned hospital within the Southern Cross network to offer a full oncology service, in partnership with allied health professionals.

Michael Ludbrook, General Manager Southern Cross Hospital Rotorua, says the new clinic is positive news for local cancer patients.

“There has been a nationwide move towards private oncology clinics, largely due to patient demand for quicker access to a wider range of treatment options. The opening of this clinic also recognises that receiving treatment for cancer is a physically and emotionally stressful process and having to travel to other centres is draining for both patients and their families. By providing the majority of oncology services close to home we can help ease some of this stress,” he said.

Until now, local patients wanting to access private medical oncology services have had to travel to either Hamilton or Auckland.

The medical oncology clinics, chemotherapy and immune therapy will be provided from Southern Cross Hospital Rotorua. The radiotherapy clinics and treatment will initially be provided at the Kathleen Kilgour Centre in Tauranga, with the clinics moving to Southern Cross Hospital Rotorua early in 2017. Radiotherapy treatment will remain at the Kathleen Kilgour Centre in Tauranga.

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