Radiation Oncology

Introduction

The Staff of the Department of Radiation Oncology continuously strive to meet the challenges of an increasing workload, evolving technologies that require training and learning on the job, teaching and education of undergraduates and newly qualified staff, trials and research. Even with no commensurate increase in wages and human resources (Radiation Therapists, Oncologists, Medical Physicists, Nurses and Clerical Officers), their passion and commitment shine through to provide a very high standard and comprehensive cancer patient service, as demonstrated by the following activities.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2005/2006

Jan 2005:  The Department started the year with a Radiation Therapy strategic planning weekend held at the Wirrina Cove. The theme, “A first class carriage in the cancer patients’ journey”, provided the focus for the weekend.  Ms Virginia Deegan, General Manager of the RAH, made the time and effort to attend the meeting. Radiation Therapists (RTs) in attendance had the opportunity to visit the Wind Farm, organized by RT Tania Perry’s husband.
All 2004 Professional Development Year RTs (PDYs) were offered permanent positions and new intake of 3 new PDYs for 2005 increased to 5 after resignation and work cover leave of existing RTs in March.

Feb 2005: Mammosite Feasibility Study for limited number of breast cancer patient was approved to proceed.

March 2005: A/Prof Eric Yeoh successfully bid for the 15th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Brachytherapy Group in Adelaide in 2006.

April 2005: First breast cancer patient treated with the Mammosite applicator in Australia amidst much publicity. 

May to August 2005:   Senior RT Clinical Specialist, Ms Susanne Trigg and team members, RTs Luom Nguyen and Fiona Wong as well as Principal Physicist Dr Eva Bezak, IT Account Manager, Alan Baldock and Senior Clerk, Amanda Wynne successfully upgraded the Varis/Vision information system from Version 6.1 to Version 7.4.

August 2005:  New State of the Art Liner Accelerator, Varian 21IX, for TS5 was delivered and installed. Portfolios of Sen. RTs’ were evaluated and back-up Seniors were implemented.

September 2005: Visit by the heads of the Radiation Oncology and Urology Departments of Malaysia’s biggest Government funded hospital to observe the RAH Prostate Radioactive Iodine Seed programme.  Future collaboration between the departments in Malaysia and the Royal Adelaide Hospital is planned and will be facilitated by telemedicine link.  This Malaysian- RAH project was initiated by the Chief Radiation Therapist/Operations Manager, Ms Adeline Lim and Senior Radiation Oncologist, Dr Martin Borg, with the support of Assoc. Prof Eric Yeoh and Prof Ian Olver.  The two week training programme proved highly successful thanks to the efforts of staff within the Radiation Oncology and Urology Departments of the Royal Adelaide Hospital; particularly Sen. RT Ms Kim Nguyen and Urologist Mr Denby Steele for organizing a well received professional development and social programme.

October 2005:  Assoc. Professor Eric Yeoh’s original proposal to start HDR prostate Brach therapy in 2003 received the full support of Urologists at the Royal Adelaide Hospital who agreed to move two more of their General Operation theatre lists to the HDR Brachytherapy Suite.  Funding proposal to upgrade brachytherapy planning software and increase human resources were submitted.  Deputy RT Manager Kar Aun Giam, Sen RT Julie Maio and CN Cate Davis attended ASTRO in the US and brought back many ideas. 

Nov 2005: Tour of the Department and Cancer Centre by Dr David Panter, the CEO of the Central Northern Adelaide Health Service. Dr Panter expressed concerns that patients with prostate cancer were having to travel interstate for HDR brachytherapy and advised about the submission of application for more human resources to enhance prostate brachytherapy including the HDR programme to be further developed. Visits by Radiation Oncologist from India, and Medical Physicist from Hong Kong, both of whom learnt of our expertise and state-of-the-art technology through the Cancer Centre’s web site.  The Radiation Oncologist, Dr Tulasi came at her own expense to observe 3D conformal radiotherapy and the Pinnacle -3-D planning system at work, over a period of 3 weeks. 

Dec 2005:  Approval to employ 2 RTs to address waiting times for treatment.

Jan 2006: The State Government provided part funding to match Federal Government funding for 3 additional PDY positions. This meant better opportunities for local graduates.  For example, it enabled all 5 2005 PDYs to be retained in permanent positions. However, there were 2 resignations of existing trained staff.  Ms Michelle Rybovic went to Sydney to pursue a PhD in Medical Radiation, whilst Ms Toula took a new position in the IT world after completing her Masters degree. We wish them well in their future, particularly as Michelle will be the second RT from South Australia to pursue a PhD, Ms Georgia Halkett having successfully completed hers in 2005.
The first HDR prostate brachytherapy delegation, led by A/Prof Yeoh, visited WP Holman Clinic in Launceston to observe the HDR prostate implant procedure that uses the same software (SWIFT), the Department of Radiation Oncology is proposing to acquire.

Feb 2006:  First Electronic Chartround (See photo below), part of the plan for the Department to become a fully electronic by 2009!

Second HDR prostate brachytherapy delegation attends HDR workshop at Peter Mac, Melbourne, in preparation for the implementation of the South Australia’s HDR prostate brachytherapy programme. 

Feb 06: First electronic chartround at the Telemedicine. Improves efficiency by saving 3 hrs of clerical time taken to collate document packets of patients’ treatment plans.

March 2006: Preview of TS5 by the Health Minister, Hon John Hill at the launch of the State’s Cancer Control Plan. Official opening of TS5 also provided opportunities for the Department to bid farewell to Prof Ian Olver, Clinical Director of the Cancer Centre.  Ms Virginia Deegan approved the loan of the HDR prostate brachytherapy (SWIFT) software and ancillary equipment from the suppliers to enable training and implementation of South Australia’s HDR prostate brachytherapy programme.

April 2006: Successful implementation of South Australia’s HDR prostate brachytherapy programme with the treatment of 2 patients was the result of team work of the prostate brachytherapy group and the mentoring provided by Dr Alvaro Martinez, a world renowned specialist. Another success story was the Australasian Brachytherapy Group’s 15th Annual Scientific Meeting held in Adelaide as evidenced by uniformly positive feedback not only of the scientific content of the meeting but also of the meeting venue and the functions.  The Organizing Committee were very fortunate to have the support of the Lord Mayor, Hon Michael Harbison, who hosted a civic reception to launch the start of the meeting. In so doing, he show-cased the city of Adelaide’s hospitality and also  demonstrated his support for health professionals committed to bring State of the art Radiation Therapy to South Australians.  This set the scene for the most successful Australian Brachytherapy Group Meeting ever in the opinion of at least one senior member of the group who resides in NSW. A rare compliment indeed from an Eastern States resident!

We are looking forward to receiving more staff resources to maintain a "First Class Carriage in the Cancer Patient’s Journey". When the patients get a ‘ticket’ to this Carriage, they will be assured of the best service and effective treatments. Their follow-ups would only be pleasant and courtesy calls. Both the patients and staff will realise the greatest sense of achievements because of best outcomes in survival rates and quality of lives.