25 August 2015
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) are pleased to announce the formation of a partnership to fund a specialist Prostate Cancer Care Coordinator for the region.
The provision of a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nursing Service is a PCFA initiative, which has been enhanced through funding support by the Federal Government. The initiative aims to improve the care of patients with prostate cancer with training, ongoing education and support to the nurses.
According to Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, Chief Executive of PCFA, the appointment of the Prostate Cancer Care Coordinator will bring much needed support to men and their families affected by prostate cancer.
“The Prostate Cancer Care Coordinator will work with patients and their families, provide support, assist with access to services, source reliable information about diagnoses and treatment, coordinate care and provide education and training to other health care workers,” said Associate Professor Lowe.
The new MLHD Prostate Cancer Care Coordinator is jointly funded by MLHD and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. “The partnership is an exciting development and has paved the way for us to provide better care locally for men with prostate cancer and support for their families," said Jill Ludford MLHD Chief Executive.
While the Prostate Cancer Care Coordinator will be based at the Wagga Wagga Health Service, the Nurse will coordinate support for patients in Wagga Wagga and assist in the support for patients in the surrounding rural towns.
“The MLHD Prostate Cancer Care Coordinator will provide training, ongoing education and support to other cancer care coordinators and nurses in our district," said Ms Ludford.
“To be able to give patients and their families the opportunity to receive the specialised support and care they need locally is very important,” she added.
Once the agreement between MLHD and PCFA is finalised, recruitment will commence.
