Data released from the Bureau of Health Information’s Outpatient Cancer Clinics survey revealed people across Western NSW Local Health District receiving cancer treatment have reported a high rating of care whilst being treated in regional cancer centres.  

Unfortunately, long waits for appointments, scans and bloodwork results can still leave rural cancer patients in limbo and add to the stress of coping with the disease, well ahead of reaching the cancer centre (read our earlier article Inequitable spending on health results in much poorer outcomes in the bush).

Once there, ninety-eight per cent of cancer centre patients rated care as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ and the same percentage of patients stated health professionals treated them with respect and dignity, kindness and care. 

WNSW Director of Cancer Services and Innovation, Dr Ruth Jones, believes the survey outcomes are a testament to the hard work of staff. 

“Receiving cancer treatment is extremely stressful for patients and their loved ones, and our staff work tirelessly to not just deliver the best care possible but to ensure patients are respected, informed and engaged throughout their treatment journey,” she said. 

“I’m incredibly proud of the work our teams across the District’s cancer care network have done and continue to do every single day, so I’m thrilled to see our staff and our services rated so favourably by patients." 

Narromine's Nano Moody is one patient who is happy with the service being provided regionally. 

“How lucky are we to have the Western Cancer Medical Centre in Dubbo, to not have to travel to Orange or Sydney to have our treatments and scans,” she said.   

“The staff are so incredible and very professional. The equipment is new and is as good as, and in some cases, better than what you would get in Sydney. 

“As a patient not having to be too far from home is critical in coping with the treatment. My treatment is just 15 minutes, so I can be home for the rest of the day and night.”  

In spite of the great survey results for the District's cancer treatment centres, some rural and regional cancer patients still experience delays in reaching this specialist support.  

One local cancer patient, who wished to remain anonymous, is scathing in her assessment of the referral experience and says she knows of other cancer patients in small rural towns who are in the same boat. 

“Our local GP was very limited with contacts further afield, particularly in regards gynecological cancers. Wait times were long in between diagnosis and commencing treatment.  

"If not for my family and friends having contacts elsewhere, I would have had to wait even longer. 

“I am very disappointed, frustrated and worried for future patients that don’t have contacts like I did. No one is laying blame, we all understand everyone is doing the best that they can, it is just a hard pill to swallow while you are in the fight for your life. 

"Unfortunately, Dubbo Cancer Centre is swamped and more oncologists in our area are needed to meet the needs of our huge region.”