All patients at Icon Cancer Centre Gosford living in the area will now be offered the choice to have their radiation therapy pre-treatment appointment at Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital, saving them time and the financial burden of travel.
Radiation Oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre Gosford, Prof John Boyages says this partnership will help patients navigate their treatment appointments and ease some of the hidden burdens of cancer care.
“The planning appointment is an important part of preparing for radiation therapy treatment, but traveling for any appointment can be a burden for patients and their families,” said Prof Boyages.
“Patients in Wyong and surrounding areas can now choose to access this important part of their care, closer to home without the need to travel long distances disrupting home and work.”
Pictured: Icon Gosford team and Dr John Boyages AM, with patient, Sue
Sue, 59, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March and says having access to this new service at Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospital has eased the stress of long-distance travel for her initial appointments.
“I decided to have treatment at Icon Gosford because it’s closer to home but still a two-hour round trip, so I’m grateful I was able to have my planning appointment at Tuggerah Lakes,” said Sue.
“Having access to this service is a big win for our community. It takes a little bit of pressure off people who are already going through a difficult time as they deal with the stress of their diagnosis and upcoming treatment.”
Icon Group Global Director – Icon Cancer Centre, Ross Koscharsky says this local partnership continues Icon’s longstanding track-record of investing in partnerships.
“Partnerships are the cornerstone of exceptional healthcare,” said Ross.
“Our local team saw an opportunity to partner with Tugerrah Lakes Private Hospital and I-MED to enhance the initial experience of radiation treatment for regional patients where there was previously no local service.
“By collaborating with the broader medical community on a local, national and international level, we’re helping to eliminate the burdens of access to cancer treatment and bring much needed care closer to where people live.”
Icon Cancer Centre Gosford has also invested in upgrading Tugerrah Lakes Private Hospital’s existing I-MED CT scanner to a state-of-the-art CT simulator with the latest Deep-Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) equipment, positional laser beams, and flat-bed carbon-fibre technology.
Consultation clinics for skin and breast cancer patients will also be offered at Tugerrah Lakes Private Hospital, with prostate consultations coming in September 2023.
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