New cancer clinic chops waiting times

Radiation therapist Shirley Capper says the new facility at the MercyAscot in Epsom is a great place to work. Photo / Brett Phibbs

After years of struggling with long delays in giving breast and prostate cancer treatment, the radiation therapy industry has turned a corner with the opening of New Zealand's first private clinic.

Auckland Radiation Oncology in Epsom, whose treatment is funded from health insurance for most Southern Cross members, is credited with helping the Auckland District Health Board reduce its waiting list to the point where patients are no longer being sent to Australia or Waikato Hospital.

The $19 million joint venture between MercyAscot and the hospitals division of Southern Cross Healthcare started taking patients in November.

MercyAscot chief executive Andrew Wong said yesterday it was now treating 55 patients a day and could probably handle 75. The clinic was fully staffed with 12 radiation therapists but was looking overseas for extra medical physicists - who help plan treatment and make sure the machines run safely - to increase patient capacity.

Therapist Shirley Capper, 46, shifted to the new clinic from Auckland District Health Board ast year. She is pleased with the career choice she made when she was 21, saying: "I love this department we work in, with its great new equipment and great staff."

The country's second private radiation therapy clinic is planned to open in Christchurch this year. There are six in public hospitals.

Radiation therapy union national secretary Deborah Powell said there was a shortage of 9 to 10 per cent of the staff needed, mainly at the Auckland District Health Board.