In a unique collaboration, Cancer Council NT and the Territory Government have joined forces to provide additional cancer support service in Alice Springs.
A new oncology nurse has begun with Alice Springs Hospital - this is the first time this position has been available in Central Australia.
This initiative is co-funded by the Cancer Council NT and NT Health, with this nursing position based at both the Alice Springs Hospital and providing services from the Alice Springs Cancer Council NT office.
The Cancer Council NT nursing position will work in collaboration with local medical and community organisations, supporting NT Health's oncology services, including through Alice Springs Hospital, palliative care and remote health services across the region.
Cancer Council NT provides support, prevention education and advocacy for cancer patients and their families. Much of the work of Cancer Council NT involves nurses providing one-on-one patient support and counselling including assisting in practical matters such as wig and bra fittings, financial assistance, pro-bono legal services and end-of-life counselling. Cancer Council NT continue to be the only local provider of ostomy services, providing medical products to ostomy clients all over the Territory.
The Territory Government and Cancer Council NT will continue to work together on providing these nursing positions across the Territory.
Quotes attributed to Chief Minister and Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
"The Territory Labor Government and Cancer Council NT is committed to supporting people in regional areas and ensuring our regional offices provide patient support where needed.
"This is an exciting new initiative with the Cancer Council NT and will enhance the continuity of care for people living with cancer in Central Australia. Welcome nurse specialist, Ms Casey Fraser, to the position and Alice Springs Hospital.
"Territorians across every region of the NT expect access to high quality health care, and this new position will create more support for patients going through cancer treatment.
"We will continue working with Cancer Council NT to provide more of these nursing positions across the Territory."
Quotes attributed to the Chief Executive Officer Cancer Council NT, Tanya Izod:
"As well as providing community-based nurse counselling support for patients from our Alice Springs Cancer Council office, Casey will also, on alternate days, continue being a member of the oncology service team at Alice Springs Hospital. This joint initiative between Cancer Council NT and NT Health is a new model for delivering nursing services in regional and remote areas.
"Casey is a highly experienced oncology nurse and comes to us from the prestigious Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne. We are very grateful to have such expertise in our Alice Springs office and we encourage all Alice Springs patients to visit Casey and say hi."
Northern Territory Government
