Chemotherapy service opens at Hawkesbury

21 Apr 2017

21 April 2017

The Chemotherapy Unit, an initiative led by the Hawkesbury Living Cancer Trust and supported by Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and Hawkesbury District Health Service, is a satellite service of the Nepean Cancer Care Centre and provides a much anticipated local chemotherapy service to residents of the Hawkesbury region.

Mr Perrottet said the unit was an important addition to local health services for the Hawkesbury community.

“Cancer patients who would previously have had to travel to the Nepean Cancer Care Centre in Penrith for their regular treatment can now receive much needed treatment close to home at their local hospital,” said Mr Perrottet.

The Hawkesbury region has a significantly higher cancer incidence rate than the NSW average (543.8 per 100,000 compared with a state average of 498.8 per 100,000). On average, around 330 people in the Hawkesbury are diagnosed with cancer each year.

The Hawkesbury Living Cancer Trust Chemotherapy Unit has four treatment chairs and is staffed by qualified chemotherapy registered nurses. Just over 1,000 treatments are expected to be delivered in the first year of operation.

“The service provided at Hawkesbury is closely linked with the Nepean Cancer Care Centre, so Hawkesbury patients will also receive the benefits of connection to a comprehensive cancer care centre,” said Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Acting Chief Executive, Clair Ramsden.

Chair of the Hawkesbury Living Cancer Trust Dr Duncan Guy said for many years, the Hawkesbury Living Cancer Trust has raised funds to provide a chemotherapy service for Hawkesbury residents that is close to home.

"Our dream has now been released thanks to incredible community efforts and kind donations from Hawkesbury families and businesses," he said.

“I would like to thank all the donors to the Trust and in particular, Len and Margaret Peel/ the Peel family, whose $1 million dollar donation made this unit a reality."

Hawkesbury District Health Service Chief Executive Officer Strephon Billinghurst said the new unit includes the latest equipment and comfort and care items for patients.

“Hawkesbury District Health Service is very proud to deliver enhanced services for our community in partnership with the Hawkesbury Living Cancer Trust and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District,” Mr Billinghurst said.