New oncology centre welcomes public
This cancer treatment centre was established to provide patients within the West Rand region with a comprehensive range of cancer treatments and the highest quality care.
According to Noeleen Phillipson, Netcare’s executive responsible for oncology, as many as one in five South Africans have a lifetime risk of developing one form of cancer or another.
This is why a brand new oncology centre was officially launched at Netcare Pinehaven Hospital on the evening of Thursday, 12 October.
This centre was established with the aim of providing patients within the West Rand region with a comprehensive range of cancer treatments and the highest quality care in order to better serve their needs.
“Netcare identified an unfulfilled need for a cancer treatment centre offering a complete oncology service within the West Rand, which is one of Gauteng’s fastest growing regions,” said Noeleen, who spoke at the launch of the new state-of-the-art facility.
“We are consequently immensely proud of this new centre which will allow patients to access truly holistic cancer treatment right here on their very doorstep. They will no longer have to travel to centres such as Johannesburg to access such high levels of treatment and care.”
According to her, the centre has been specifically developed to enable the hospital to offer an integrated approach to care that includes chemo- and hormonal-therapies, radiation treatment, surgery, or if required, a combination of these approaches.
“The centre’s services will be provided by multidisciplinary teams that include some of the country’s leading oncologists, surgeons and other highly trained healthcare professionals and support staff using the very latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies,” she added.
Noeleen continued,saying that the centre is superbly equipped, the chemotherapy department having 10 treatment stations that serve patients during the working week. The radiation unit has been equipped with a cutting edge Elekta Synergy linear accelerator, which is able to deliver highly targeted radiation therapies.
“An emphasis has been placed on ensuring that patients also have support services, such as counselling and support groups, close to hand, as in most cases these form a critical aspect of the treatment and recovery process.” she said.
A special garden had also been developed outside the centre to enable patients access to an attractive and serene environment during their treatment sessions.
Pogiso Tlholoe, manager of the radiation unit at the hospital, noted that the Elekta Synergy linear accelerator enables a wide range of treatment options including external beam radiation therapy; intensity modulated therapy, volumetric arc therapy, as well as stereotactic radiosurgery.
“This means that clinicians are able to precisely tailor treatment to specifically meet the radiation treatment requirements of each particular case,” she explained.
“The Elekta Synergy is equipped with integrated imaging tools that assist oncologists to visualise and precisely target tumours with high doses of radiation while preserving healthy tissue. These also enable medical professionals to develop an optimal treatment approach prior to therapy, as well as to deliver the most targeted radiation treatment possible during the procedure itself.”
Marietha van Vuuren, general manager of the hospital said that there has been a growing need for a cancer treatment centre that can offer patients a comprehensive oncology service under a single roof in the West Rand region.
“The centre substantially extends the hospital’s ability to meet the needs of local cancer patients and I believe that its launch is a cause for hope and celebration,” she said. “I would like to extend my thanks to Netcare, the Netcare Oncology division, as well as the various doctors and staff members at the hospital who have made this much-needed new facility possible.”
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