Sydney Adventist Hospital provides complete care for most forms of cancer including specialised radiation therapy. Sydney Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre (SROC) is located within the grounds of Sydney Adventist Hospital and is one of two treatment centres owned and operated by a dedicated team of cancer specialists. The second centre is located in Gosford.
Services
Sydney Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre features two modern linear accelerators, simulator and computerised Three Dimensional (3D) planning system, including IMRT, to customise radiation therapy for each patient. The 3D planning system provides the means to accurately calculate conformal radiation therapy that is delivered using the linear accelerators. For the patient, this means a more defined radiation dose to the tumour and lower doses to healthy tissues. This is aimed at higher success rates for tumour control and less side-effects from treatment.
The latest in radiotherapy machines was installed in the Wahroonga practice in 2005. These Linear Accelerators enable delivery of conformal therapy using features such as MultiLeaf Collimation (MLC) and Electronic Portal Imaging (EPI) to ensure a more accurate dose delivery and treatment of a tighter tumour volume. A similar machine was installed in Gosford in 2003, ensuring both Centres are capable of providing the most advanced radiation therapy programs.
Accommodation
Country patients who require a weekly radiotherapy program can be accommodated on the Hospital grounds at Jacaranda Lodge.
Staff
Specialist Radiation Oncologists prescribe the treatment that is delivered daily by the Radiation Therapists. Specialist Registered Nurses and administration staff complete the team to provide a comprehensive cancer service aimed at reducing the stresses and difficulties normally associated with such an intensive treatment program.
The Radiation Oncologists are:
• Dr Richard Foster (BSc BMedSc MBBS FRANZCR) graduated MBBS in Hobart in 1982. He completed Radiation Oncology training at Hunter Oncology Unit and Prince of Wales Hospital. He was Senior Registrar, Radiation Oncology at RPAH in 1992, and has been in Private Practice since 1992. Dr Foster has special interests in Breast, Prostate and Lung Cancer as part of a multidisciplinary team with other Oncologists and Surgeons. His other interests include clinical audit and quality assurance in medical practice.
• Dr Edward Sun (MBBS FRANZCR) graduated from the University of Sydney and completed his Radiation Oncology training in Westmead and Prince of Wales Hospitals in Sydney. In 1984, he was awarded both the NSW State Cancer Council Training Fellowship in Radiotherapy and the C.E. Eddy Prize in the D.R.A.C.R. Part 1 examination. Dr Sun spent two years at the Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong before joining the Sydney Radiotherapy & Oncology Centre.
• Dr Annie Ho (MBBS FRANZCR) graduated from the University of Sydney in 1998. She underwent specialty training in radiation oncology in the Royal North Shore Hospital and St George Hospital in Sydney and was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologist (RANZCR) in September 2005. Dr Ho is a member of RANZCR, ABS, Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) and Australian and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trial Group (ANZ BCT). She has been actively involved in teaching as a Clinical Teacher in oncology at Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, St George Clinical School for University of New South Wales and currently, University of Newcastle. Dr Ho joined SROC in January 2007.
Referrals and Fees
GP or Specialist referrals are required for Radiation Therapy consultation. Most radiation therapy can be given on an out-patient basis. Fees are therefore rebated by Medicare, in-part, for most patients. Private Health Funds only reimburse part of the costs if the patient is admitted to hospital for the duration of the treatment. Discounts are offered for early payments and terms are available for those requiring time to pay. Eligible Repatriation patients are not charged for consultation or treatment as fees are paid for by the DVA.
Location
The Sydney Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre is conveniently located on the ground floor of the Shannon Building, (Level 3) Sydney Adventist Hospital. The Centre is accessed through the first Hospital entrance near Fox Valley Medical & Dental Centre (see map). Designated parking is available for radiotherapy patients directly outside the Centre.
Further Information
Consultations are available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm.
Treatment appointments are made after planning has been arranged and treatment is available between 7:15am to 4:30pm.
For further information please visit our website or contact the Sydney Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre on (02) 9487 9300 or fax (02) 9487 9303.
