More cancer care

CANCER patients can receive greater care at Southern Health’s Dandenong Hospital, with the help of four new oncology outpatient clinics.
The new services provide a wide range of cancer treatments aimed at allowing for better care closer to home as well as improve waiting times.
The expansion of the oncology services was announced by the Minister for Health Daniel Andrews in April 2009.
Southern Health Chief Executive Shelly Park said she was pleased with the new services.
“Southern Health is one of Victoria’s leading cancer treatment providers. We are very proud to be able to expand the day chemotherapy service at Dandenong,” she said.
“The service significantly improves access to care for cancer patients otherwise needing to travel to Monash Medical Centre Moorabbin.”
The Dandenong Hospital now has a new full-time oncology presence, Southern Health medical oncologist Dr Ranjana Srivastava said.
“This means four new clinics and two new oncologists with experience in palliative care who can deliver services to the local community,” Dr Srivastava said.
“Having a satellite centre at Dandenong Hospital means less travel and more efficiency for patients in Melbourne’s south-east.”