The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre (CPMCC) at Westmead Hospital, and Blacktown Hospital have achieved full accreditation from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR), Faculty of Radiation Oncology.
This significant milestone highlights the excellence of Western Sydney Local Health District’s (WSLHD) radiation oncology training program.
“This is the highest rating possible, acknowledging the quality of training in WSLHD in this specialty,” said Verity Ahern, Director of the Radiation Oncology Network at WSLHD.
“We currently have seven accredited trainees in radiation oncology at any one time. Since appointing our first trainee at Westmead Hospital in 1980, 57 registrars have become Fellows of RANZCR.”
Preparing for the accreditation assessment was no small feat, with the process spanning three months.
“Most of the time was spent collating evidence of compliance.”
“The Directors of Training and the entire group of radiation oncologists are very aware of the training requirements and are constantly improving the teaching and educational opportunities.”
Over the years, the team has implemented rostering arrangements that allow protected time for key activities such as radiation treatment planning, further enhancing the quality of training.
The RANZCR assessment highlighted several achievements within the WSLHD Radiation Oncology Network.
“We are particularly pleased that the College has recognised that our two facilities function as one network seamlessly.”
Key strengths identified during the assessment include the specialisation of radiation oncologists in one or two tumour groups, allowing them to develop deep expertise, and the consistency in equipment, such as linear accelerators, across Blacktown and Westmead Hospitals.
Radiation therapists and medical physicists are also rostered to spend time at both facilities, ensuring a cohesive team approach to patient care.
The College also acknowledged WSLHD radiation oncologists’ active contributions to RANZCR’s training program and activities.
Postgraduate Fellows also play an integral role in educating trainees through informal tutorials and mentoring in clinics.
“We currently have four Fellows in the Radiation Oncology Network who spend blocks of time at both our facilities.”
The accreditation reflects the dedication of all staff in the Radiation Oncology Network to delivering high-quality training.
Excellence in training the next generation translates into excellent day-to-day care of all patients.”
Verity Ahern
“We are all proud that our dedication to training has been recognised to be of the highest quality.”