Radiation Oncology Network - Nepean and Westmead Cancer Care Centres
The Radiation Oncology Network provides radiotherapy services across two separate sites at Nepean and Westmead Hospitals. The network is run within a team environment where the input of all staff is valued and where the friendly work environments are enhanced by the availability of state-of-the-art equipment. Patients have access to the Medical staff that hold clinics in both centres and the patients are offered treatment at either centre depending on their needs and required service.
Location
Nepean Cancer Care Centre is located in Penrith Valley at the foothills of the Blue Mountains; Westmead Cancer Care Centre is situated near historic Parramatta, where there are many cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues. Both centres are within walking distance of nearby train stations and makes travel to other suburbs, the city, mountains and beaches readily accessible.
Equipment
Nepean:
- Oldelft Simulator
- GE Lightspeed CT Scanner (widebore, 4 slice/rotation, equipped with Varian RPM Gating)
- Philips Pinnacle 3D Treatment Planning Systems (with IMRT and Model Based Segmentation)
- Radplan 2D Treatment Planning System (for non-CT based planning)
- Gulmay D3225 Orthovoltage X-ray machine
- Varian CL2100C - 6/18MV photons, 6/9/12/15/18MeV electrons, Asi EPID, 80 leaf MLC
- Elekta Synergy - 6/10/18MV photons, 6/9/12/15/18Mev electrons, Asi EPID (both mV and kV with CBCT), 80 leaf MLCi2, 6D Hexapod couchtop, Active Breathing Coordinator, IMRT and VMAT enabled
- Fully equipped Mould Room with both Thermoplastic and vacuum-formed patient immobilisation devices and electronic block cutter
Westmead:
- Varian Acuity simulator
- GE Lightspeed CT scanner
- (single slice)
- Varian 3D Eclipse Treatment Planning System (with IMRT module)
- Radplan 2D Treatment Planning System (for non-CT based planning)
- Gulmay Xstrahl 300 Orthovoltage X-ray machine
- Varian CL6EX – 6MV photons, Asi EPID, 120 leaf MLC, BrainLab mMLC attachment
- Varian CL21iX - 6MV photons, 6/9/12/15/18MeV electrons, Asi EPID, 120 leaf MLC, OBI with IGRT capability and IMRT enabled
- Varian CL6EX - 6MV photons,
- Asi EPID, 120 leaf MLC, support TBI treatment
- Varian CL2100C/Dc - 6/18MV photons, 6/9/12/15/18MeV electrons, Asi EPID, 120 leaf MLC
- Fully equipped Mould Room with both Thermoplastic and vacuum-formed patient immobilisation devices and electronic block cutter
- Radiosurgery using BrainLab mMLC Linac attachment and BrainLab Planning System
- TBI treatment
- Prostate Seed Implant using Varian VariSeed for planning
- HDR Brachytherapy using Varian VariSource 200 HDR, planning with Varian BrachyVision
- HDR Brachytherapy and Prostate Seen Implant procedure in a modern brachytherapy suite/bunker with operating theatre
All imaging and treatment services are equipped with Indexed Patient Position System (IPPS) for accurate positioning of patients within the departments. All Linear Accelerators are networked with the Planning computers to allow direct downloading of parameters and all Linear Accelerators are equipped with Auto Field Sequencing to enable automatic treatment from the console areas.
Specialised treatments and techniques including Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy, Gated radiotherapy, Total Body Irradiation, stereotactic radiosurgery, interstitial, intracavity and intraliminal brachytherapy and services for paediatric radiotherapy are all offered across the network. The departments are networked from front reception through the clinics to the treatment units and work is on the way to go paperless with introduction of an appropriate radiotherapy Electronic Medical Record.
Staff
The radiation oncology network maintains around 70 full time equivalent Radiation Therapists, 15 Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists, 4 Engineering staff, 1 Physics Technical Officer and 10 Radiation Oncologists. Various opportunities are supported to encourage role diversity and expansion within each discipline, such as Radiation Therapists Paediatric consultant position.
Hours
The working conditions for staff can vary between sites, with 9-working days per fortnight the norm and an attractive 4-working days per week when staffing levels permit. Departmental operational hours are between 6.30am and 6pm, Mon - Fri, with emergency on call outside these times.
Clinics
Combined multi-disciplinary clinics are run for all major cancer sites including head and neck, breast, prostate, gynaecological, lung, melanoma, lymphoma and gastro-intestinal.
Education
The continued professional development of all Radiation Therapists and Medical Physicists at the Centre is strongly supported and encouraged by management. The Radiation Therapist educational needs are managed by a fulltime Radiation Therapist Educator. Regular education opportunities occur for all staff across the Network via in-services and ongoing training. Financial support is also available through the Network's Continuing Professional Development Fund for postgraduate education, travel/conference attendance and other career related educational pursuits.
The Network is accredited by the University of Sydney and the University of Newcastle to provide clinical placements for undergraduate and postgraduate radiation therapy students.
Research and Development
Opportunities to participate in research initiatives are provided and the Centre actively participates in multi-centre studies and trials. The Radiation Oncology Network employs a Radiation Therapist Researcher, data managers and statistician to encourage, coordinate and implement Radiation Therapy research across the network.
Quality Improvement
Ongoing quality assurance and monitoring of radiation therapy procedures are embedded in routine radiation therapy and medical physics practice across the network. All staff are actively encouraged to examine protocols, procedures and methodologies and to participate in focus groups to further develop improvements or to implement new technology and techniques.
Contacts
Westmead Cancer Care Centre
Westmead Hospital
Cnr Hawkesbury and Darcy Roads
Westmead NSW 2145
Nepean Cancer Care Centre
PO Box 63
Penrith NSW 2751
A/Prof Philip Yuile
Director, Radiation Oncology Network
Westmead Cancer Care Centre
Ph: +61 2 9845 6489
Email: Phillip.Yuile@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Prof Paul Harnett
Network Director
Nepean Cancer Care Centre
Ph: +61 2 4734 3500
Email: paul_harnett@wmi.usyd.edu.au
Ms Jillian Harris
Director of Radiation Therapy
Westmead Cancer Care Centre
Ph: +61 2 9845 5200
Fax: +61 2 9891 5814
Email: jill.harris@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Mr. Shan Yau
Chief Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist
Westmead Cancer Care Centre
Nepean Cancer Care Centre
Ph: +61 2 9845 6593
Fax: +61 2 9891 5814
Email: yaus@wahs.nsw.gov.au
Mr. Kevin Van Tilburg
Director of Radiation Therapy
Nepean Cancer Care Centre
PO Box 63
Penrith NSW 2751
Ph: +61 2 4734 3511
Fax: +61 2 4734 2330
Email: vantilk@wahs.nsw.gov.au
Updated July 2011