Discover the latest about West Moreton Health’s research projects, industry collaborations and strategic initiatives that are helping to solve health care challenges.
- March 2024 (Online link)
- December 2023 (PDF)
- September 2023 (PDF)
- June 2023 (PDF)
- March 2023 (PDF)
- December 2022 (PDF)
Data from the 2022 West Moreton Health Local Area Needs Assessment (PDF) shows that, each year, almost 1,500 local residents are diagnosed with cancer and a further 500 die from the disease.
Click here to read the media statement announcing the three recipients and projects. Full abstracts are listed below.
About the scholarship
The Regina and Vicki Doig Research Scholarship for Cancer Care, is provided partnership with local benefactor Vicki Doig and West Moreton Health.
The scholarship was established in honour of Vicki Doig's sister Regina who tragically died of lymphoma in 1987 aged 39. It a lasting legacy of Regina’s bravery and her passion to improve outcomes for cancer patients.
Vicki is well-known as the former director of the Milford Street Ipswich Kindergarten, and her sister Regina was a talented teacher of music and language.
This contribution will make it possible for clinical staff to make a tangible difference to the lives of cancer patients.
This scholarship offers West Moreton Health clinical staff the opportunity to be proactive in providing the evidence needed to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of cancer care in our region.
The Ipswich Hospital Foundation is administering the scholarship on behalf of the Doig family.
Led by Oncology Nurse Unit Manager Kim Toohil
This research project is investigating the needs of rural patients who use the Ipswich Hospital oncology service to consider providing chemotherapy or supportive care services closer to home at our rural hospitals. Rural patients will be invited to complete a survey to consider if they want to receive routine cancer care or supportive care closer to home and consider patient feedback.
The research project came about through Mrs Spross’ previous work to implement non-complex chemotherapy or cancer care in rural hospitals at Wide Bay Health.
Travelling to and from Ipswich Hospital can take as long as 90 minutes for some West Moreton residents. The time and money spent on travel, on top of the fatigue it generates, create a barrier to treatment for some patients.
It is proposed that chemotherapy could be provided at a rural hospital by specially trained nurses supported via telehealth by a consultant and expert nurse at Ipswich Hospital.
Other health service evidence shows patients prefer treatment closer to home where there are supports in place.
About 40 patients currently receiving treatment have been identified as potential participants in the study.
Two Ipswich Hospital nurses, both research students, are joining the project team to explore the telehealth opportunities available to support a clinical redesign project.
Findings from this research could lead to expanded cancer services at our rural hospitals, subject to operational funding and service redesign.
Led by Acting Cancer Care Co-ordinator Mark Rothery
This research project is investigating whether some low-risk haematology services could be provided at Ipswich Hospital. This would reduce the need for West Moreton residents to travel outside of the region for care at larger hospitals, including the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PA). The time and money spent on travel, on top of the fatigue it generates, create a barrier to treatment for some patients.
A further barrier to care at the PA is the need for next-day treatments due to service demand, where the patient has a medical review on the first day and treatment on the second. This requires the patient to either travel on two consecutive occasions or to stay overnight in accommodation.
The Ipswich Hospital Oncology Day Unit could support the care and treatment of patients with haematological cancers such as myeloma and lymphoma as well as other bleeding disorders.
The research project will identify the potential benefits to patients of receiving treatment at Ipswich Hospital, along with the feasibility of a telehealth service with the PA for haematology services. Aggressive or acute cancers will continue to be treated at larger hospitals.
West Moreton patients receiving basic or maintenance haematology care at PA can participate in the trial.
Findings from this research could lead to a new haematology service at Ipswich Hospital, subject to operational funding and service redesign.
Led by Senior Staff Specialist Dr Lilantha Wedisinghe
The research project will conduct cervical cancer screening surveys for women in West Moreton to improve participation in cervical screening.
Cervical cancer, caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is the fourth most common cancer among women globally.
Since 2017, pap smear tests have been replaced by clinician-led screening for HPV. Since 2022, women have been given the additional choice of a self-collected PCR test, similar to tests used to diagnose COVID-19.
This research aims to develop a tool that equips women to make informed screening decisions.
The study also aims to promote awareness and education, as most cases of HPV infection clear up on their own within one or two years. If the body does not clear HPV, which happens to one in 10 women, it can cause abnormal changes to cervical cells.
If left undetected and/or untreated, these changes can develop into cervical cancer over many years.
This project aims to increase West Moreton’s low rate of screening participation, thereby reducing the burden of cervical cancer through prevention.
The project begins with a survey of 200 women who present to the Ipswich Hospital Obstetrics and Gynaecology service.