The San achieves highest ranking in NSW for outpatient cancer services again

For the sixth year in a row, the Integrated Cancer Centre at Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San) topped the State in the annual Outpatient Cancer Clinics Survey, showing that our commitment to whole-person care for patients with cancer is making a difference to their lives.

Each year, patients’ experience of outpatient cancer care throughout NSW is independently surveyed by the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) in partnership with the Cancer Institute NSW. 8,280 patients from 43 facilities – public and private – were surveyed. 

The purpose of the survey is to gain an understanding of patients’ experience of multiple aspects of their cancer care. Patients were asked to evaluate their experience including: access to services, care planning, facilities, coordination of care, complications, follow-up and support. 

In the report released on 25th October, 2023, the San’s Integrated Cancer Centre (ICC) led the State by achieving the highest ranking with 12 measures being significantly higher than the NSW results – this was the highest number of any facility in the survey. Some of these measures included: overall experience of care received; well-organised care; polite and courteous staff; comfort and cleanliness of facilities; and how well the healthcare team worked together.

Professor Gavin Marx, Clinical Director of the Integrated Cancer Service at the San, expressed, "This is fantastic and humbling feedback from our patients. Earning the top state ranking consistently year after year is a clear demonstration of our entire team's unwavering dedication to providing the best possible care for those undergoing cancer treatment. It's a privilege to collaborate with such an exceptional team whose primary focus and driving force is to enhance the quality of care for our patients."

“While we are very proud of these results,” said Prof Marx, “we are always striving to improve patient experience during cancer treatment. While it is great to know patients experience excellent cancer services here, we won’t rest on these results – each year we continue to look for ways that we can improve our services.”

The San’s Integrated Cancer Centre operates in partnership with Icon Cancer Centre Wahroonga, which offers radiation therapy treatment for all cancer types. Icon’s Clinical Director of Radiation Oncology, Dr Andrew Fong, says the results of the BHI report is affirmation “we’re on the right track”.

“The multidisciplinary team approach to cancer treatment – all in the one location – offers convenience for patients, and a concentration of expert clinicians and first-rate facilities,” said Dr Fong. “It is a privilege to care for our patients and their families impacted by cancer. And it’s good to know that the measures we take every day to improve the lives of those we care for is making a positive difference – despite a very difficult time in their lives.”

Many factors contribute to Australia’s high rates of cancer, and the San has long been committed to not only the early diagnosis and cutting-edge treatment of disease, but also prevention and research. 

“The San’s purpose and mission is whole-person health,” said CEO Brett Goods. “And perhaps in no other area is this more important than in the area of cancer. We are very grateful to our superb team at the Integrated Cancer Centre.”

“Receiving this recognition for the hospital’s cancer services just spurs us on to deliver even better outcomes for our patients and their families. Alongside the ICC, our Cancer Support Services– as well as research – all contribute towards efforts to treat disease and promote survivorship and wellbeing for our community.”