GenesisCare recognises delivery of more than 150,000 cancer treatments in Wide Bay

“One example of this is introducing hypofractionated radiotherapy at our centres, which involves providing higher doses of radiation over a shorter period to patients who meet certain criteria, which reduces the number of appointments they need. These developments maintain low wait times for patients and have increased access to treatment by around 40% since we launched our service because we can operate more efficiently,” Mr Nguyen said.

On average, radiotherapy patients in Wide Bay commence treatment 9.1 days after their referral is received. This is faster than the industry target and is expedited further for urgent cases.

Steve Nguyen thanked the doctors, radiation therapists, nurses, physicists, engineers, and patient services officers at GenesisCare Bundaberg and Fraser Coast who regularly participate in training to increase their capabilities as its services evolve.

“Our teams go above and beyond as they strive to deliver the best possible care for every patient. Today, we’re recognising team members who have been working in our cancer care centres to serve the Wide Bay community for five or more years. Their dedication has enabled us to deliver over 150,000 radiotherapy treatments to more than 8,000 patients, right here in Wide Bay,” said Mr Nguyen.

GenesisCare patient Wayne, who lives in Bundaberg, said: “Travelling to Brisbane for treatment just isn’t an option for me. Here in Bundaberg, I can have my treatment with my partner next to me, rest in my own home where I am safe and comfortable. The people treating me don’t feel like strangers, they know who I am. They’re like neighbours or friends.” 

GenesisCare welcomed the Bundaberg Region Mayor, representatives from the Taribelang-Bunda mob, local leaders, and patient representatives, to mark the contribution of these individuals at GenesisCare Bundaberg today. GenesisCare Fraser Coast will recognise their team’s service milestones next month.

Mayor of the Bundaberg Region, Helen Blackburn, thanked long-standing team members at GenesisCare Bundaberg: “It takes a truly special person to work in cancer care. These professionals not only provide clinical care but bring compassion and empathy to local patients when it is needed most. Recruiting and retaining healthcare workers can be challenging in regional areas, so it’s wonderful to hear that so many of these highly specialised team members are continuing to live and work in Wide Bay to benefit our community."

GenesisCare Bundaberg Centre Leader, Lyn Tate, added: “We are proud to be part of the local healthcare network in Wide Bay. The community ties we have developed over the years are important to us. We strive to listen to our local patients, healthcare partners and local First Nations communities. A better understanding of our community helps us tailor care for Wide Bay locals as we work towards improving health outcomes in the region.”

GenesisCare provides access to free radiotherapy for public patients for most adult cancer types at these clinics as part of a long-standing public-private partnership agreement with Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive, Debbie Carroll, said: “We highly value the opportunity for patients to receive care closer to home, ensuring they can access essential treatments without the burden of long-distance travel.

“One example of this is introducing hypofractionated radiotherapy at our centres, which involves providing higher doses of radiation over a shorter period to patients who meet certain criteria, which reduces the number of appointments they need. These developments maintain low wait times for patients and have increased access to treatment by around 40% since we launched our service because we can operate more efficiently,” Mr Nguyen said.

On average, radiotherapy patients in Wide Bay commence treatment 9.1 days after their referral is received. This is faster than the industry target and is expedited further for urgent cases.

Steve Nguyen thanked the doctors, radiation therapists, nurses, physicists, engineers, and patient services officers at GenesisCare Bundaberg and Fraser Coast who regularly participate in training to increase their capabilities as its services evolve.

“Our teams go above and beyond as they strive to deliver the best possible care for every patient. Today, we’re recognising team members who have been working in our cancer care centres to serve the Wide Bay community for five or more years. Their dedication has enabled us to deliver over 150,000 radiotherapy treatments to more than 8,000 patients, right here in Wide Bay,” said Mr Nguyen.

GenesisCare patient Wayne, who lives in Bundaberg, said: “Travelling to Brisbane for treatment just isn’t an option for me. Here in Bundaberg, I can have my treatment with my partner next to me, rest in my own home where I am safe and comfortable. The people treating me don’t feel like strangers, they know who I am. They’re like neighbours or friends.” 

GenesisCare welcomed the Bundaberg Region Mayor, representatives from the Taribelang-Bunda mob, local leaders, and patient representatives, to mark the contribution of these individuals at GenesisCare Bundaberg today. GenesisCare Fraser Coast will recognise their team’s service milestones next month.

Mayor of the Bundaberg Region, Helen Blackburn, thanked long-standing team members at GenesisCare Bundaberg: “It takes a truly special person to work in cancer care. These professionals not only provide clinical care but bring compassion and empathy to local patients when it is needed most. Recruiting and retaining healthcare workers can be challenging in regional areas, so it’s wonderful to hear that so many of these highly specialised team members are continuing to live and work in Wide Bay to benefit our community."

GenesisCare Bundaberg Centre Leader, Lyn Tate, added: “We are proud to be part of the local healthcare network in Wide Bay. The community ties we have developed over the years are important to us. We strive to listen to our local patients, healthcare partners and local First Nations communities. A better understanding of our community helps us tailor care for Wide Bay locals as we work towards improving health outcomes in the region.”

GenesisCare provides access to free radiotherapy for public patients for most adult cancer types at these clinics as part of a long-standing public-private partnership agreement with Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services.

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive, Debbie Carroll, said: “We highly value the opportunity for patients to receive care closer to home, ensuring they can access essential treatments without the burden of long-distance travel.

“Through our partnership with GenesisCare centres in Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast our patients receive timely and personalised radiotherapy treatment, improving health outcomes for our local community.”

GenesisCare’s radiation therapy centres in Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast offer supportive access to modern radiation therapy techniques, with both centres achieving high patient satisfaction ratings.
 

Background statistics

• GenesisCare teams provided over 150,000 treatments to more than 8000 patients across its centres in Bundaberg and Fraser Coast between January 2018 and September 2024.
• Wide Bay Burnett cancer statistics show that there are 1931 new cases of cancer diagnosed in the region per year, with 1 in 2.2 people in the community likely to receive a cancer diagnosis by age 80.³
• In the year to 30 June 2023, Wide Bay had both the largest and fastest growth (6,700 persons and 2.1%) of the regional Queensland SA4s (which denotes the largest sub-state regions), driven primarily by a large gain through intra and interstate migration (5,410 persons).²