The Macedon Ranges has received its first oncology service, with Kyneton District Health beginning to treat patients on Thursday.
It’s been two years in the making with medical oncologist Dr Sam Harris and radiation oncologists from Peter Mac Cancer Centre providing consultation to patients.
While the new service doesn’t cover all oncology, Kyneton District Health is able to provide chemotherapy, immunotherapy and blood transfusions to low-risk patients.
Kyneton District Health chief executive Maree Cuddihy said the service would run twice a week and three patients have already received immunotherapy on the first day.
“Previously, patients would have to travel to Bendigo and once we establish the service, we’ll also take referrals from metro services where people are from the area and can potentially have the treatment locally,” she said.
The service will make life easier for patients, who won’t have to travel up to an hour or more to receive treatment, but also their family and friends to help get them there.
“It would be much easier for people from Romsey and Lancefield if they fit the category of drugs,” Ms Cuddihy said.
“There’s no traffic or parking fees and there won’t be the waiting times that patients may experience at the big city centres.
“For those safer classes of drugs, we would like to be able to provide treatment locally to as many people as required.”
