Care Coordinator at NBH

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Everyone has heard about 'McGrath Breast Care Nurses', who are funded directly by the McGrath Foundation to engage care coordinators for those with breast cancer throughout Australia. Northern Beaches Hospital has a full-time McGrath Breast Nurse.

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A Cancer Care Coordinator is an integral part of multi-disciplinary care that ensures the best outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer. They provide an essential service and support to people living with cancer in helping to navigate the many aspects of the care, such as coordinating appointments with medical, surgical and allied health professionals, often across multiple sites, as well as acting as a contact point for patients and checking up on their general well-being.

 

We have funded a Care Coordinator for the other cancer types,  which include lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and so forth.  

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Priority medical equipment

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An oncology unit needs a variety of equipment, from 'cold cap' machines to refrigerators to blood centrifuges.

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We have successfully raised funds for the purchase of two medical refrigerators and a centrifuge, both prerequisites to undertaking clinical trials. 

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Clinical trials coordination

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The Oncologists working at Northern Beaches Hospital are involved in cutting-edge clinical trials which are being conducted across Australia and, in some cases, internationally.

 

However, patients treated at the Northern Beaches Hospital could not participate in clinical trials locally because there was no capacity to do so without certain positions, such as a Clinical Trials Research Coordinator, being in place. As a result, patients were referred to other centres for participation in clinical trials, generally involving further travel and disruption.

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We successfully funded the role of a Clinical Trial Coordinator (Registered Nurse position) so that the people of the Northern Beaches can participate in these cutting-edge clinical trials. 

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