ONE of Wagga’s four urologists has denied there is a pressing need for a specialist prostate cancer nurse.
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The move follows the federal government announcing on Thursday what 14 towns would receive a full-time nurse, appointed by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Dr Ray Stanton is a locally and internationally trained urologist, specialising in prostate cancer management and is director of Murrumbidgee Urology.
One of the reasons he chose to relocate to Wagga from Sydney several years ago was due to the excellent resources available here, many of which are not available in certain centres.
He maintains the town is well-resourced for treatment at present.
"The role of the specialist nurse role is not properly defined and we need to establish how that nurse would work within the current infrastructure," he said.
"Even though we would have appreciated the extra manpower, patients need to be aware that the area is well resourced compared to other areas.
"Patients have access to high quality surgical, radiotherapy and medical oncology services, with excellent support provided by the practice nurses and local prostate cancer support group, as well as physiotherapy and other allied health services."
Dr Stanton said it was difficult to gauge what it meant for the MLHD missing out on the second consecutive year because the role was never properly defined, but suggested Wagga missed out because of its current high level of service.
"The issue is in some centres, public patients are managed via outpatient clinics at the hospital, with a different doctor seeing them each time," he said.
"Some patients can be lost to follow up.
"A hospital-based prostate cancer nurse in those areas can ensure this does not happen.
"With no hospital-based clinics here in Wagga, patients are appropriately followed up by the same clinician who has managed them from the outset and I think this provides a better experience for the patient.
"Support is provided through the well-trained and experienced practice nurses.
"Here in Wagga, it's less of an issue, but you can see why prostate cancer nurses are needed in certain areas.
"I just don't think we're so critically under-resourced."
Dr Stanton said Wagga offered all modes of prostate cancer treatment and support.
"I am not certain as to what criteria were met by the areas which received a prostate cancer nurse, so don't know why Wagga was overlooked for one of these nurses," he said.
"There will probably be further appointments down the track, and if the benefit of having the nurse is seen in other areas, we will certainly be reapplying".
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