GenesisCare’s Shepparton radiation oncology centre celebrates 1st birthday
Hundreds of Goulburn Valley residents benefit from local access to radiation therapy during COVID-19 pandemic
Shepparton, Victoria – GenesisCare is celebrating its 1st birthday this week, marking one year since local cancer patients in the Goulburn Valley region have been able to access word-class radiation therapy at their doorstep.
Since opening in December last year, GenesisCare has delivered radiation therapy to close to 500 Goulburn Valley residents. The centre is open to both public and privately insured patients thanks to a shared care agreement between the Department of Health and Human Services, Goulburn Valley Health and GenesisCare.
Prior to the centre opening, patients had to commute hundreds of kilometres to Albury, Bendigo or Melbourne for daily radiation therapy treatment or be away from home for multiple weeks.
GenesisCare’s Shepparton Centre Leader, Dee Hepyukselen, commended the entire Shepparton team and Goulburn Valley Health for their flexibility, professionalism and steadfast commitment to ensuring patients receive the highest quality of care during COVID-19.
“Our Shepparton centre truly couldn’t have opened at a better time as it meant patients in the Goulburn Valley region were able to access radiation therapy locally instead of travelling to Melbourne during Victoria’s lockdown.
“Travelling into the CBD and navigating the challenges and complexities of restrictions would have placed immense pressure on patients and their families and we are very proud to have been able to continue providing world-class treatment locally in Shepparton.”
Since opening, GenesisCare has launched two innovative treatment techniques for its breast cancer patients, tattoo free radiation therapy and deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH).
Hon Damian Drum MP, the Federal Member for Nicholls, said: “I congratulate GenesisCare for its one-year anniversary in Shepparton. Its operation here in the Goulburn Valley has been a welcome addition to our local health offerings, allowing cancer sufferers to be treated locally, rather than having the added stress of travelling hours for radiation treatment.”
“With services like GenesisCare, and the federally funded $26 million Integrated Cancer Centre to be developed at GV Health, I hope the quality of life for those suffering from cancer in our region will continue to improve significantly in the years to come.
“I’d like to thank GenesisCare for working with the community to achieve its first anniversary milestone, and I look forward to the benefits that its service will continue to bring to our community.”
GenesisCare Radiation Oncologist, Dr Grace Ong, said “as a centre, we have continued to grow and evolve and whilst being able to offer standard radiation therapy, we have also invested in the latest technologies to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
“We were proud to introduce tattoo free radiation therapy earlier in the year which will eliminate the added emotional impact of having permanent tattoos.”
“While this year hasn’t been without its challenges, I am incredibly proud of our team here who have constantly adapted and problem solved to ensure we were able to continue providing the highest quality of cancer care in a safe environment for our patients.”
“Without a doubt the highlight of my time at Shepparton so far has been working with the staff and getting to know the local community – Shepparton has such a fantastic community spirit and it has been such a pleasure getting to know and help all my patients and their families,” said Dr Ong.
