Patient input needed to establish new oncology services in town

It has been two months since Hopelands Cancer Centre closed its doors. The closure meant patients who previously received treatment at the centre would need to travel to the next nearest centre (Ladysmith or Pietermaritzburg).

Mediclinic Newcastle offered a beacon of hope for the affected patients, by endeavouring to establish oncological services at its hospital.

Plans were put in place by Hospital Manager, Japie Greyling and his team after a discussion with the hospital’s board of directors took place.

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Last year, Greyling encouraged cancer patients who required treatment to contact him, in order to compile a report and motivate the need for an oncologist.

“Unfortunately, we have not had the response we were looking for I have only received three emails and no calls,” he said.

Greyling has been in communication with an oncologist from a practice in Gauteng and needed figures to present to him.

“We will give ourselves two more weeks to collate all the data, and then be in touch with the oncology practice to start negotiations with them,” he reported. “We will also be guided by our board of directors at a meeting to be held later in the month.”

Greyling implored patients, their families and caregivers who were undergoing both chemo- and radiotherapy, and required follow-up consultations, to email him: Newcastle.Oncology@Mediclinic.co.za or give him a call on 034 317 0100.

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Should acquiring the oncologist be successful, Mediclinic planned to have an area in the hospital which could accommodate the proposed cancer treatment. The set-up is anticipated to be similar to the renal units, where patients can instead receive chemotherapy.

Mediclinic Newcastle’s short-term goal was to establish a basic oncological services and treatment at the hospital, which included chemotherapy and consultation appointments with oncologists.

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