They may be remote but people in Mount Isa who are on the breast cancer journey once again have a specialised nurse to support them.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nicole Williams is the newly appointed McGrath Breast Care Nurse at the North West Hospital and Health Service, a role she is taking on enthusiastically.
“It’s that journey people are on – as a woman I understand their loss is an extra element that impacts on their lives,” she said. “I really want to support the ladies who are going through it.”
She describes her service as a “one-stop shop” which takes care of every aspect – from dressings and drainage through to psychological support and referrals to counselling services, and help with bra fittings and providing access to financial advice.
“It’s for the whole time people need it for – there are no discharges,” Nicole said, adding that even people who had begun treatment could come in and seek advice.
The position was established in July 2009 and Nicole has been continuing on the work that Rachael Radulovic began.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing in 2012 and has undertaken a certificate in oncology nursing through Queensland University of Technology.
As a chemotherapy nurse in Mount Isa, she said she could see the gap there was for patients, while the position was vacant.
Her job, funded by the McGrath Foundation, puts her at the Mount Isa Cancer Care Unit at the Mount Isa hospital each Monday and Tuesday. She encourages self-referral and says she is also able to visit people in their homes.
Nicole’s position has been made possible thanks to the federal government’s provision in 2013 of $18.5 million over four years to the McGrath Foundation to recruit, train and place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in locations across Australia.
The foundation currently has 105 McGrath Breast Care Nurses working in communities across Australia. It costs about $380,000 to place a McGrath Breast Care Nurse in the community for a three year period.
Co-founded by Jane and Glenn McGrath after Jane’s initial recovery from breast cancer, the McGrath Foundation aims to raise much-needed funds to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities right across Australia, whilst increasing breast awareness in younger women.
McGrath Foundation ambassador and director, Tracy Bevan is glad to be able to place another McGrath Breast Care Nurse in the community.
“They act as a patient advocate; they coordinate care not only for women and men with breast cancer, but also for families and carers.”
The support is provided free of charge and accessed by contacting Nicole on 07 4744 7982.
