Calvary Mater Newcastle

Calvary Mater Newcastle Hunter New England Local Health District’s Mental Health facility and Breastscreen NSW, are also located on the Mater campus.
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Calvary Mater Newcastle public hospital in Waratah, NSW, is the major cancer care centre for the Hunter New England Local Health District, delivering more than 320,000 occasions of outpatient services and in excess of 16,000 inpatient treatments per year. Calvary Mater Newcastle provides an Emergency Department open 24 hours seven days a week, an Intensive Care Unit, extensive palliative care serv

ices including the Mercy Hospice. Calvary Mater Newcastle is also home to our world-renowned research facility. Staffed by leading researchers in oncology, toxicology, psychiatry and palliative care, we are affiliated with major universities and colleges and international research partners.

🌟This week at Calvary Mater Newcastle we continue to profile our registered nurses who are taking their careers to the n...
27/08/2025

🌟This week at Calvary Mater Newcastle we continue to profile our registered nurses who are taking their careers to the next level through the Transition to Specialty Practice (TSP) - Cancer Care Program.

Meet Diksha who entered the program with a background in surgical nursing. Her foundational skills in patient assessment and clinical care helped her to settle into the program smoothly.

“The program has helped me further develop my clinical skills, and the five study days included have provided a valuable opportunity to gain a broader understanding of cancer services and how to support cancer patients effectively,” Diksha said.

“I also spent a week with nurse practitioners, clinical care coordinators, and the clinical trials team - an excellent opportunity to explore potential career pathways within cancer services.”

This dedicated program offers a supportive pathway into the specialised world of cancer nursing, combining practical experience with expert guidance. Participants are immersed in the complexities of cancer care, build their clinical confidence, and are mentored by experienced cancer nurses and educators every step of the way. 😊

If a career in cancer nursing is of interest to you we are currently recruiting for registered nurses in cancer services: https://ow.ly/TK1Q50WLRhJ. The closing date for applications is 31 August 2025.

💙 We recently said a fond farewell to Kim Adler, our long-serving Medical Oncology Research Trials Manager, after more t...
26/08/2025

💙 We recently said a fond farewell to Kim Adler, our long-serving Medical Oncology Research Trials Manager, after more than 20 years of dedicated service at Calvary Mater Newcastle.

Kim played a key role in shaping clinical trial governance locally, nationally and internationally, supporting groundbreaking research, securing vital equipment grants, and always keeping patients at the heart of her work.

From a small team, Kim built and led a passionate, high-performing group committed to safe, ethical, and meaningful trials. Her leadership, humour, and resilience will be long remembered.

Kim’s outstanding work has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Mary Potter Award (2019), SCRS Asia-Pac SPIRA Award (2018), AGITG Outstanding Site Award (2019), and the Premier’s Award for Outstanding Clinical Trials Unit (2020). Most recently, under her leadership, the Mater became the first site in NSW to receive quality recognition status from NSW Health.

We thank Kim for her tireless commitment, congratulate her on a truly impactful career, and wish her every success in her next chapter. 💐

🌟 Dry July 2025 has officially wrapped up, and we want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who chose to support Ca...
24/08/2025

🌟 Dry July 2025 has officially wrapped up, and we want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who chose to support Calvary Mater Newcastle this year!

Thanks to your incredible generosity, over $32,000 has been raised to help us purchase much-needed equipment and comfort items for our cancer patients - improving their experience during treatment and recovery. This includes enhancing the care of our haematology patients through the expansion and upgrade of our assistive equipment. 💛

We are truly grateful for your overwhelming support - it makes such a difference!

While the challenge may be over, donations are still open! If you’d like to contribute, head to 👉 https://ow.ly/eaT950WHisk

🌼❄️ A huge shout out to a group of daring Calvary Mater Newcastle cancer nurses and our pastoral care manager who took a...
22/08/2025

🌼❄️ A huge shout out to a group of daring Calvary Mater Newcastle cancer nurses and our pastoral care manager who took an icy dip recently, at Newcastle Ocean Baths, for the Daffodil Day Dip Challenge!

Despite the cool winter water temperatures, Lyndal, Margo, Rowena, Kate, Gillian, Sandra, Cath, Janine and Bronwyn dressed in bright yellow accessories, held hands and their breaths, and took the plunge.

The team’s bold efforts raised over $6,000 for the Cancer Council, supporting Australians impacted by cancer and helping to fund vital research.

Thank you to everyone who donated and cheered them on - your support makes a real difference. You can still donate to the cause by clicking here: https://ow.ly/14X450WJfw4❄️🌼

🌟Introducing Hannah, a second year registered nurse who is currently undertaking the Transition to Specialty Practice (T...
21/08/2025

🌟Introducing Hannah, a second year registered nurse who is currently undertaking the Transition to Specialty Practice (TSP) - Cancer Care Program at Calvary Mater Newcastle.

This supportive and structured program offers a pathway into the specialised field of cancer nursing. Participants develop practical skills in cancer care, deepen their clinical knowledge, and benefit from guidance and mentorship by experienced cancer nurses and educators.

"I’ve always had an interest in cancer care," says Hannah, who chose to complete her new graduate program at Calvary Mater Newcastle due to its strong focus in cancer care.

"Rotating through the oncology ward really confirmed that this was the area I wanted to be in. The program gave me a broad overview - not just ward-based care, but also how outpatient services work, which was very interesting."

"I’ve learned so many new skills, felt really supported, and made amazing connections. Shadowing senior nurses gave me great insight into what’s needed across different areas of cancer care - it’s a great opportunity if you’re thinking about specialising."

The program equips nurses with the skills and confidence to excel in cancer care, while strengthening our team’s ability to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to patients throughout their treatment.

If a career in cancer nursing is of interest to you we are currently accepting applications for the 2026 Transition to Speciality Practice - Cancer Care Program. Applications close on the 24/08/2025. Apply here: http://bit.ly/3HM3xRk

Last month, ABC Newcastle shared a beautiful story about our amazing volunteer, Maureen Barclay, who generously gives he...
20/08/2025

Last month, ABC Newcastle shared a beautiful story about our amazing volunteer, Maureen Barclay, who generously gives her time through the Fig Tree Program - a supportive, group-based initiative within our palliative care service at the Hospice, offering creative activities, social connection, and access to specialist care.

The segment, aired on Newcastle Drive with Jenny Marchant, captured Maureen’s compassion and the meaningful difference she makes, alongside Jo Haney, Occupational Therapist, and the wider Hospice team.

A heartfelt thank you to Maureen, Jo, and everyone who contributes to the compassionate, dedicated care we provide to our palliative care patients. It's a heartwarming reminder of the remarkable people who make our Hospice community so special. ❤️

🎧 You can tune in to the full story on ABC Listen (Maureen’s story begins at 1:34:55): https://ow.ly/Imlt50WI0hf

Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Haematology team was proud to be one of the principal recruitment centres for the COALITION tr...
19/08/2025

Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Haematology team was proud to be one of the principal recruitment centres for the COALITION trial, initiated by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne.

This national study tested the immunotherapy drug glofitamab for patients aged 18-65 with high-risk large B-cell lymphoma not responsive to, or relapsing after, standard therapies.

The results are remarkable:

➜ 98% of patients achieved a complete response, with their cancer becoming undetectable
➜ At two years, survival rates remained high, 86% progression-free and 92% overall survival
➜ More than 95% of patients completed treatment, with manageable side effects and no new toxicities

This collaborative work, led by the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre with Calvary Mater Newcastle and 13 other Australian sites, represents a major step forward in lymphoma treatment.

"The results of this trial mark an important milestone that could transform the standard of care for patients receiving lymphoma treatment," said Dr Wojt Janowski, Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Director of Health Research. "It is exciting to see that the Phase III randomised studies of this treatment are now underway."

👉 Learn more about the COALITION trial and what it means for future care: https://ow.ly/Evp350WI1fc

✨At Calvary Mater Newcastle, registered nurses have the valuable opportunity to further their professional development t...
15/08/2025

✨At Calvary Mater Newcastle, registered nurses have the valuable opportunity to further their professional development through the Transition to Specialty Practice (TSP) - Cancer Care Program.

This structured and supportive program is designed to guide nurses as they step into the specialised field of cancer nursing. Participants gain hands-on experience in cancer care, build advanced clinical knowledge, and receive mentorship from experienced cancer nurses and educators.

Meet Sarah, a registered nurse at Calvary Mater Newcastle who is currently undertaking the Transition to Speciality Practice program. When asked why she chose this path, Sarah said, “The transition program offers a fantastic opportunity to work in many areas across the cancer space and I get to make a difference in people’s lives.”

“I have particularly enjoyed my haematology rotation and learning about immunotherapy. There is so much to learn within the cancer space and I have found it very interesting.”

The program not only equips nurses with the skills and confidence to excel in cancer care, but also strengthens our team’s ability to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to patients throughout their cancer journey. ❤️

🔬✨ It’s National Science Week and here at Calvary Mater Newcastle we are proud to acknowledge our dedicated scientists w...
15/08/2025

🔬✨ It’s National Science Week and here at Calvary Mater Newcastle we are proud to acknowledge our dedicated scientists who work tirelessly across the Haematology and Medical Oncology Research Laboratories, and our team of expert Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists.

Introducing Erin, one of our Senior Medical Physics Specialists in our Department of Radiation Oncology, whose main role is to ensure that the radiation dose prescribed to patients by their doctors is delivered safely and accurately.

"We regularly verify each aspect of patient simulation, imaging, and treatment units, ensure the accuracy of treatment plans, and work with treatment staff to position patients in a way that minimises motion - so that we treat the cancer and minimise effects to other organs," said Erin.

Science was Erin’s favourite subject in high school and with a fascination of how the world works, she gravitated towards physics. “I was fortunate when selecting my university degree to find Medical Radiation Physics which focused on how different types of radiation can be used for medical purposes to benefit people,” Erin said.

The team is actively involved in research, collaborating locally and internationally to advance cancer treatment. Erin comments, “As a Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist I am motivated by the desire to continuously improve cancer treatment for patients by employing new and exciting technologies and techniques into local practice.”

To all our scientists, thank you for your commitment, curiosity, and tireless pursuit of knowledge. Your work truly changes lives, and we’re proud to have you as part of the Mater team. 💙

🎗️Today, on Cancer Nurses Day, we proudly celebrated the exceptional oncology nurses of Calvary Mater Newcastle - our st...
14/08/2025

🎗️Today, on Cancer Nurses Day, we proudly celebrated the exceptional oncology nurses of Calvary Mater Newcastle - our strong, skilled, and specialised team of compassionate and dedicated nurses who care for people affected by cancer in our community.

Our cancer nurses stand beside patients and families through every stage of their cancer journey. They deliver complex treatments, provide crucial education, and offer support that extends far beyond the bedside.

To mark the occasion, our cancer nursing team set up an information stand in the main foyer, where staff, patients, and visitors learned more about the vital role they play in patient care, education, and advocacy. Visitors also enjoyed a crisp apple generously donated by Jesmond Fruit Barn.

Cancer nurses were also invited to gather and enjoy pizza, party treats, and a special celebratory cake in recognition of their incredible work. 🎉

To all our cancer nurses, we thank you for your professionalism, your resilience, and your compassion - thank you for making a difference. 🙏

🌟Recently at Calvary Mater Newcastle, Associate Professor Jennette Sakoff welcomed representatives from mining group Mou...
13/08/2025

🌟Recently at Calvary Mater Newcastle, Associate Professor Jennette Sakoff welcomed representatives from mining group Mount Thorley Warkworth Lodge in to the Medical Oncology labs.

The team of Scott, Matt, Nick and Daniel brought with them a very generous cheque totalling $6000, and in turn enjoyed a hands-on tour and a look down the microscopes at live cancer cells, including newly grown pancreatic cancer cells. 🔬

Jennette shared insights into her team’s ongoing work to better understand how cancer cells communicate - a crucial step in the fight against this devastating disease.

"We are delighted that the Mt Thorley Warkworth Lodge of the Mining & Energy Union continue to support our research into better treatments for pancreatic cancer," said Jennette.

"It was great to have the team visit our research laboratory for a hands-on experience of our research projects."

The Mount Thorley Warkworth Lodge has been a valued supporter of our research in the past, and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued generosity and interest.

A big thank you to Mount Thorley Warkworth Lodge - your support helps bring life-changing discoveries closer every day. 😊

Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Day Treatment Centre staff had a special visit recently from a very appreciative patient, Shan...
11/08/2025

Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Day Treatment Centre staff had a special visit recently from a very appreciative patient, Shane Whiteford, who returned bearing gifts - a generous $3,000 donation. ✨

Diagnosed in December 2023 with a rare and dangerously located Ewing Sarcoma in his neck, Shane endured major surgery, a year of chemotherapy, and four weeks of daily radiation.

Just six months after finishing treatment, he ran 200km in June to raise funds for the nurses he calls “angels in scrubs.”

“The Day Treatment Centre staff supported me through my toughest time, and I wanted to give back for the incredible care they provide to everyone,” Shane said.

“The funds will go toward whatever the nursing team chooses - something to make their workdays a little brighter.”

We’re thrilled to hear Shane is doing well and so grateful for his amazing donation! 😊

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20 Edith Street
Newcastle, NSW
2298

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