A new sub-specialist gynaecology oncology surgeon has started delivering regular clinics at Canberra Hospital as part of a new agreement between Canberra Health Services and the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney.
Associate Professor Ramanand Athavale, Clinical Director of the Gynaecological Oncology service at the Royal Hospital for Women, held his first outpatient clinic at Canberra Hospital this week.
He will visit Canberra Hospital monthly for an all-day operating list, followed by a multidisciplinary team meeting, ward rounds, and an outpatient clinic the following day.
Between visits, he will also conduct follow‑up telehealth clinics for women referred to the Gynaecology Oncology service in the ACT.
“I’m pleased to be partnering with Canberra Health Services on behalf of the Royal Hospital for Women, to continue delivering this important service locally to the people of the ACT and surrounding region,” Professor Athavale said.
“I look forward to working with this great team of professionals, and supporting the quality treatment and care they are already providing to the community.”
Health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith welcomed Professor Athavale to Canberra Health Services, and said he would make a great contribution while CHS recruits a permanent Canberra-based sub-specialist.
“The ACT Government is committed to operating a permanent and sustainable gynaecology oncology service in the ACT,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. “This includes expanding our specialist nursing workforce for cancer care with two new full-time positions in the Cancer Supportive Care Team.
“The dedicated colorectal and gynaecological cancer specialist nurses will provide direct patient care, care coordination and navigation, support and education to patients undergoing surgery and cancer treatment.”
The ACT Government committed $1.33 million over four years through the 2022-23 mid-year Budget Review for the two new positions.
“It’s important to have dedicated nurses as part of the team to specifically manage colorectal and gynaecological cancers,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. “They will join a larger team of Cancer Support Nurses who deliver essential wrap around care to those needing cancer treatment in the ACT.”
Recruitment is underway for the two fulltime dedicated specialist nurses, who are anticipated to start by May.
Canberra Liberals say government must do more to recruit gynaecologist oncologists
Canberra Liberals MLA Leanne Castley, Shadow Minister for Health, called on Ms Stephen-Smith to improve the terms and conditions offered to gynaecology oncologist applicants who wish to take a permanent position in the ACT.
“The ACT Government’s recent announcement that a traveling clinic from Sydney will continue in the ACT is a desperate measure to save face from the Minister as CHS failed Canberra women by bungling negotiations last year,” Ms Castley said.
Following protracted negotiations with CHS, a sub-specialist who applied to establish a clinic in the ACT withdrew their application last year because CHS refused to increase the amount of surgery hours to meet the current demand, Ms Castley said.
Between July and November 2022, the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney performed 189 operating hours for Canberra women, which works out to nine operating lists per month, as opposed to CHS’ offer of two sessions per month, Ms Castley noted.
“Canberra Health Services’ own implementation plan outlines the benefits of implementing a permanent service which include reduced wait times, improved consumer experience, and outcomes comparable to peer services,” Ms Castley said.
“Women with complex cancers are forced to travel to Sydney. More than 3,200 people signed a petition supporting a permanent gynaecology oncology unit, and waitlists continue to increase.
“Despite this, the Minister continues to play hardball, and is leaving women in the lurch with another fly-in-fly-out service.
“I believe the Minister needs to change her approach so the ACT can get in line with peer hospitals and women can be treated in the ACT in time for the 2023-24 budget.
“The Minister has said at every point that she is committed to establishing a permanent unit, and now it is time for her to show that commitment.
“Women who need to access gynaecology oncology services should be at the front of mind for the Minister, rather than nit-picking over terms and conditions.”
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