radiation oncology

About our service

Our department of radiation oncology first treated patients in 1995 and now treats approximately 1500 new cancer patients per year. Our treatment facilities are based at Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres and we also provide out-reach clinics at Bowral and Bankstown.

Our department employs 10 radiation oncologists and 6 radiation oncology registrars and research fellowships are frequently available. The radiation oncologists are tumour site specialised and attend all of the major multidisciplinary clinics in the area. Our department currently has 3 linear accelerators at Liverpool and 2 at Campbelltown with plans for significant expansion in 2010. These expansion plans include provision of a research treatment bunker for specialised radiation therapist and medical physicist training and research.

Information Technology

In 1999, our department was selected as the pilot site in NSW to implement a new radiation oncology computerised information system and this has allowed development and use of an integrated electronic record across the area for oncology.

Research

We have a large research programme. We frequently offer fellowship positions to radiation oncology trainees interested in gaining further research and clinical experiences. A significant proportion of the research fellows to date have been successful in gaining higher degrees including PhD, MPH and MD. Our clinical group contribute to many clinical trials in radiation oncology. All radiation oncologists are members of the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology (TROG) group. In addition, we have particular expertise in oncology health services research. The Collaboration for Cancer Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CCORE) is a health services research group established by our radiation oncologists to further collaborative research into the clinical service delivery of radiotherapy. This group is headed by A/Prof Michael Barton, who has done an excellent job in establishing this group and developing CCORE to the forefront of oncology health services research over the past 5 years.

Our focus on research is recognized nationally and internationally. For further details regarding CCORE's research programme click here.

Education

The radiation oncology group also have an active education programme. We provide oncology teaching for medical students at the University of NSW and the University of Western Sydney. The undergraduate education programme includes regular medical student tutorials and clinic attachments and attendance at ward rounds and multi-disciplinary clinics.

Post-graduate teaching in medical physics, radiation therapy and radiation oncology have been established with strong records in each of these disciplines. All radiation oncology registrars who have trained at the centre have passed all of their examinations at their first attempt with several winning awards along the way and our department maintains a strong interest in registrar training. Registrars and research fellows are provided with a scheduled weekly tutorial programme as well as active participation in the clinic, multi-disciplinary groups and quality assurance meetings.

Quality assurance

We have a strong commitment to quality treatment and have an extensive quality assurance programme. This programme includes weekly team audit meetings and case presentations where treatment decisions are critically evaluated and peer-reviewed. In attendance are all radiation oncologists and registrars as well as a diagnostic radiologist to comment on tumour delineation.

Summary

The radiation oncology departments at Liverpool and Macarthur have developed significantly over the past 12 years with plans for further expansion in the next few years. We have a dynamic group of individuals and very productive research, education and quality assurance programmes. We have direct input into the curriculum of RANZCR - Faculty of radiation oncology.