Patients receiving chemotherapy and other specialty treatments are benefiting from first-class treatment by leading specialists at Bass Coast Health (BCH), conveniently close to home.
The L. Rigby Centre at Wonthaggi Hospital has a dedicated team that works together in providing excellence in care.
With World Cancer Day on Sunday 4 February, the aim is to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment.
This World Cancer Day recognises the power of working together to have a global effect on cancer. BCH is blessed to work with an amazing team of Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health staff, who work alongside our excellent cancer specialists from Alfred Health, to provide the community with treatment options underpinned by best practice and access to additional services.
The team at BCH includes Medical Oncologists, Haematologists, Breast Surgeons, Radiation Oncologist, Dermatologist, Palliative Care Medical Specialist, McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse, Melanoma Specialist and Lymphoedema Physiotherapist, along with many other Allied Health professionals and the L. Rigby Centre cancer team.
Wonthaggi Hospital is able to provide Radiology services, CT, MRI, Ultrasound and also has Breast Screen Victoria onsite.
Service delivery at the L. Rigby Centre has grown significantly over the past 2 years and it continues to grow, with cancer clinics seeing 4088 single treatments over the 2022-2023 year.
The Bass Coast and wider community benefits from the cancer service, delivered with some excellent partners in Alfred Health and McGrath Foundation supporting contemporary care. Our strong partnership with Alfred Health means local patients can receive care from Alfred specialists locally, rather than travel to Melbourne.
“Receiving a cancer diagnosis is an incredibly stressful time, often filled with uncertainty and unanswered questions, and the treatment that often follows can be exhausting,” according to Jan Child, BCH CEO.
Lynn Pendry has been receiving treatment at L. Rigby Centre since November.
“It is fantastic to have provision of care locally, as treatment that often follows can be exhausting,” she said.
“It’s just marvellous having this facility here. It takes me exactly five minutes to get here. I have a lot of days when I’m feeling unwell and the last thing I want to be doing is travelling to Melbourne for treatment.
“Having treatment here also gives my husband a day off from having to look after me and he gets to do what he wants to do.”
To receive treatment at BCH, ask your medical practitioner to email a referral to access@basscoasthealth.org.au or fax 03 9102 5307.