Cancer care in Hunter New England

Calvary Mater Newcastle 

Calvary Mater Newcastle Medical Oncology Unit is one of the busiest adult cancer treatment facilities in NSW for medical oncology consultations, and treatment with intravenous chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy for all types of cancers.

Medical oncologists work within multidisciplinary groups (including radiation oncologists, surgeons, haematologists, palliative care physicians, nursing and allied health professionals) bringing together a wide range of skilled professionals to deliver the best current available care for cancer patients within one integrated cancer centre.

Find out more about Calvary Mater Newcastle Medical Oncology Unit.

North West Cancer Centre

The North West Cancer Centre is part of the Tamworth Hospital and provides medical oncology services to patients from the North West and New England regions of NSW.

Calvary Mater Newcastle

Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Department of Radiation Oncology is NSW’s largest regional specialist radiation therapy centre. We offer world-class radiation therapy using precision technology to deliver the best available treatment to you.

The department is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, radiation oncology, medical physicists, nursing and allied health specialists who work together to ensure you receive the best possible care and treatment.

Find out more about Calvary Mater Newcastle Radiation Oncology Unit.

North West Cancer Centre

The North West Cancer Centre (NWCC) is part of the Tamworth Hospital and provides oncology services to patients from the North West and New England regions of NSW. This includes radiation oncology. The centre opened its doors in 2013 and since then has treated hundreds of patients. While the Tamworth Medical Oncology Service has been running for many years (in smaller facilities), radiation oncology was not available in the North West prior to the centre opening.

Having services offered in Tamworth has meant less travel for regional patients, but around 45 per cent of patients still travel more than 100km to receive care at the NWCC. 

Our dedicated accommodation facility 'Inala House' provides a home away from home for those patients who require long courses of treatment.

The Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer is a specialist service providing coordinated and individualised care for women undergoing investigations and treatment for gynaecological cancers.  This includes cancer of the ovary, uterus, cervix and vulva.

Our team consists of three gynaecological oncologists specialised in the complex surgical management of gynaecological cancers. They are supported by a clinical fellow who is a doctor who has completed their training in gynaecology and is undertaking further specialised training, and a registrar who is a doctor gaining further surgical experience.

A clinical nurse consultant supports women and their families while coordinating care and follow up treatment. Patients also have access to a cancer care coordinator and clinical psychologist to provide additional support and information.

The unit is involved in research projects at a local, national and international level with the aim of improving outcomes for all women diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer.

The Haematology Unit at Calvary Mater Newcastle sees patients from the Hunter region, however some referrals are also received from outside the local area.

We provide a comprehensive service including:

• management of bone marrow malignancies including acute leukaemia, chronic leukaemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma treatment and investigation of bone marrow failure states, for example anaemia, neutropaenia and thrombocytopaenia
• treatment and diagnosis of acquired and inherited bleeding and thrombotic disorders
• peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
• a consultation service to all hospitals in the Hunter New England Local Health District and all Hunter Area Pathology Service/Pathology North partners.

Find out more about Calvary Mater Newcastle Haematology Unit.

Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Head and Neck Cancer Support Group was established in July 2010 as a means of providing further support to head and neck cancer patients in the Newcastle and Hunter area.

The group meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month and is facilitated by allied health professionals working within this area, and provides both education and peer support.

Calvary Mater Newcastle undertakes planned (elective) and unplanned (emergency/non–elective) surgical procedures. Many surgical procedures are now undertaken in a day surgery setting, meaning patients are admitted and discharged in a single day.

Surgical specialties at Calvary Mater Newcastle include:

• breast surgery
• general surgery
• thoracic surgery
• melanoma surgery

Find out more about Calvary Mater Newcastle surgery and day surgery services.

A range of surgical outpatient services are provided at Calvary Mater Newcastle, including:

• surgery clinics
• general surgery – such as hernia repairs, gall bladder removal
  • breast cancer surgery
  • upper gastrointestinal surgery
• melanoma unit clinic
  • appointments for patients with a diagnosis of melanoma
  • patients that require surgery 
  • patients that can have minor surgery as an outpatient
• breast reconstruction clinic
• McGrath breast care nurse clinic
• stomal Therapy Wound Management
• wound clinics. 

Find out more about Calvary Mater Newcastle surgical outpatient services.

At Calvary Mater Newcastle, a Medical Centre provides clinics for a range of outpatient services, including:

• Medical oncology
• Radiation oncology
• The Wig Service

A referral is required by a GP, hospital, specialist or healthcare provider. Call (02) 4014 3190.