Darling Downs Health brings care closer to home for blood cancer patients

Download high resolution image [JPG 12600.44 KB]

Patients from the Darling Downs undergoing stem cell transplant treatment will now be able to receive care closer to home, with a new service being offered at Toowoomba Hospital.

People undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation, where a person’s own stem cells are used to keep cancers such as myeloma under long-term control after chemotherapy, previously had to stay in Brisbane for up to a month.

Darling Downs Health Service Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM said the new service at Toowoomba Hospital allows patients to stay closer to their families and communities.

“We know how stressful it can be when receiving cancer treatment away from home – this day one post-transplant care service will ease the pressure on patients and their loved ones,” Ms Scott said.

"Accessing care closer to home means patients can spend less time travelling and more time with the people and places that support their recovery"

- Darling Downs Health Service Chief Executive, Annette Scott

Toowoomba Hospital haematology director Dr Howard Mutsando said the new service was only possible thanks to the hard work and commitment of Darling Downs Health staff.

“This service is the result of more than two years of planning and work to ensure the right infrastructure was in place,” he said.

“Nursing staff also had to complete a four-month training and upskilling education program which allows them to deliver this specialty service”.

DrMutsando said the new service also demonstrated Toowoomba Hospital’s ability to offer high level specialist care outside of southeast Queensland.

“Not only does the expansion of service benefit our patients, it also provides an opportunity for local teams to grow their skill sets and attract other skilled workers to the area.”

Darling Downs resident David Ziebell has been the first patient to use the service.

He said being able to recover in Toowoomba rather than spend a month in Brisbane had a made a significant difference to his recovery.

“My wife and I cannot thank you all enough for everything you have and are doing for me to make my cancer journey that much easier.”

Darling Downs Health will examine whether the service can be expanded to other cancer patients, including those with lymphoma.