Calvary Mater Newcastle

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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 services 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.

24/09/2025

This month, staff at Calvary Mater Newcastle helped raise awareness of lymphoma, one of the most common blood cancers affecting people of all ages.

Tina Gordon, Clinical Nurse Consultant in lymphoma care at Calvary Mater Newcastle, has supported countless patients and families navigating this diagnosis. “Awareness matters. Early detection and education truly saves lives,” she said.

“Approximately 7,300 Australians are diagnosed with lymphoma (and CLL) each year. It is the most common cancer in the adolescent and young adult age group (16-29 years).”

Lymphoma is a cancer affecting lymphocytes, white blood cells that help fight infection. Its symptoms are often vague and similar to other illnesses or medication side effects, making diagnosis difficult. However, lymphoma symptoms usually last more than two weeks and worsen over time.

Common symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, persistent fever, night sweats, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

A big thank you to our incredible staff - Victoria, Tina and Vineetha - and to Eleanor from the Leukaemia Foundation for their ongoing efforts to raise awareness and educate our community about lymphoma. 👏

23/09/2025

🌟 Calling All Registered and Enrolled Nurses! 🌟

Are you looking for more than just a job? At Calvary Mater Newcastle, we offer purpose, community, and real opportunities to grow – both personally and professionally.

Whether you're after full-time, part-time, or casual work, we have a place for you in our supportive, passionate, values-based team.

We're not just colleagues – we support each other with heart and humour, and we celebrate the wins, big and small.

If you're a dedicated RN or EN ready to make a difference, we want to hear from you 👉 Apply now and become part of something meaningful! https://ow.ly/41sV50X0CuK

16/09/2025

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is observed at Calvary Mater Newcastle every September to raise awareness about prostate cancer.

🏃‍♀️ This year, our Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, Nancy Consoli, is taking part in the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s Long Run. Her motivation? The countless men and families she walks beside every day through the uncertainty of a prostate cancer diagnosis.

“As a Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse our responsibility doesn’t just stop with the patients we see. Our role is to raise awareness, promote health education and support research. The Long Run is raising funds to do just this,” said Nancy.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in Australia, and second most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.

Nancy believes that participating in the Long Run is about sending a message of commitment, visibility, and action. “Support goes beyond the hospital, and my involvement in the run shows that we’re not just observers - we are in this together, active participants in the fight.”

👨 Men, don’t wait – go see your GP to talk about PSA testing. Understand your risk factors, like family history. It’s a simple blood test, and early detection can save your life.

If you’d like to support the cause - and Nancy’s early morning runs - you can donate here: https://ow.ly/NSFi50WXi3h

14/09/2025

At Calvary Mater Newcastle, we’re committed to educating our community and health care teams about the signs and symptoms of sepsis, so action can be taken fast.

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency, when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. It is the leading cause of death globally – responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide. Early recognition and prompt treatment is critical to save lives.

Know the signs. Trust your instincts. Speak up.

👉 High heart rate
👉 Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold
👉 Confusion or disorientation
👉 Shortness of breath
👉 Extreme pain or discomfort
👉 Clammy or sweaty skin

Let’s work together to make sepsis awareness a priority.

Our teams took up the tongue twister ‘susceptible to sepsis’ challenge – click to see how they went http://bit.ly/4mbfWwu

12/09/2025

Next week is Dementia Action Week, and at Calvary Mater Newcastle we will be raising awareness and supporting those affected by dementia.

Join us on Monday 15 September 9:30am-2pm for a special event focused on sharing information, building understanding, and taking action together. Everyone is welcome.

Organisations involved on the day include:
• Dementia Australia
• Dementia Support Australia
• Carers NSW
• Wesley Mission Care Finder Service
• Alpha Lifecare
• Seniors Rights Service

11/09/2025

On Friday 22 August, Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Radiation Oncology team hosted the inaugural MRI in Radiation Oncology Course Newcastle (MRICON) - an event that focused on the practical integration of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiotherapy oncology - the first event of its kind in Australia and New Zealand!

It came to fruition as Calvary Mater Newcastle is a recognised leader in this field, with extensive experience in utilising MRI for radiotherapy planning. The department’s staff are frequently approached by other hospitals for guidance and expertise.

Driven by a desire to share this knowledge more broadly, the MRICON conference was born.

MRICON brought together 77 radiation oncology professionals from across the region. With a dynamic program covering MRI safety, planning workflows, and real-world experiences from leading centres, it was a day of valuable learning and collaboration.

💬 Reflecting on the day, Kate Skehan, Calvary Mater Newcastle Senior MRI Radiographer, shared, “We’re incredibly grateful to all the attendees and colleagues who travelled from across Australia and New Zealand. Your collaboration, knowledge sharing, and enthusiasm made the event such a success. The future of MRI in RT looks brighter than ever!”

Thank you to everyone who helped organise this wonderful conference.

A special thanks to all the presenters and facilitators on the day, including staff from Calvary Mater Newcastle and our external speakers.

Finally, a huge thank you to our sponsors - Siemens Healthineers and Bayer HealthCare — whose generous support made this event possible.

📸 Thanks to Joerg Lehmann.

10/09/2025

To mark Malnutrition Awareness Week at Calvary Mater Newcastle, we spoke with one of our dedicated oncology dietitians, Jessica, about the vital role dietitians play in cancer care.😊

Jessica supports patients across our oncology setting, playing an integral role in the multidisciplinary team by providing individualised nutrition care throughout our patient’s cancer treatment journey.

"Our team supports patients in managing treatment side effects, breaking down nutrition myths, promoting healthy weight maintenance, and enhancing overall nutrition to boost wellbeing and achieve better treatment outcomes," said Jessica.

Jessica was always interested in a career in the health sector. “I gravitated towards becoming a dietitian because my passion for food and nutrition can empower others to live healthier, happier lives.”

While working in oncology can be challenging, Jessica finds it deeply rewarding. “Assisting patients to maintain adequate nutrition throughout treatment to improve outcomes, prevent malnutrition and improve quality of life, is very impactful. It is a privilege to support our oncology patients during such a difficult time in their lives.”

💛 A big thank you to all our dietitians for the incredible work you do every day. Your care and expertise make a real difference.

04/09/2025

🌍 Supporting Global Cancer Care 🌍

Claire Dempsey, Principal Medical Physicist, and Clare Monk, Radiation Therapist Consultant, from the Department of Radiation Oncology at Calvary Mater Newcastle generously volunteer their time with Rayos Contra Cancer (RCC) - a not-for-profit improving access to radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries.

Through RCC, Claire and Clare have helped train hundreds of healthcare professionals worldwide, contributing to better cancer care in regions with limited resources. From writing course content to late-night Zoom sessions and even visiting clinics in Zambia, their work is making a real impact.

“I was initially drawn to the opportunity to use my skills to help clinics in areas that were much less resourced with respect to training, education and equipment, to improve the treatment outcomes for patients in these areas,” Claire says.

When asked what has been the most rewarding part of volunteering with RCC, Claire said, “The participants’ engagement and enthusiasm is inspiring - they’re busy clinical staff giving up their free time to improve patient care.”

While Clare commented, “The participants are inspirational in their dedication to improving care despite challenging circumstances.”

For both Claire and Clare, volunteering with RCC has been more than a professional opportunity – it’s been a deeply rewarding journey. Through their contributions, they’ve not only supported meaningful change in patient care but also built lasting friendships and a global community of like-minded professionals.

👏 Thank you, Claire and Clare, for using your expertise to create positive global change!

01/09/2025

Kay Fordham, Calvary Mater Newcastle Auxiliary Treasurer, recently met with members of the Kahibah Travelling Bowlers, Keith Keelan and Robbie Freeman, to accept a generous cheque for the sum of $1500.

The Kahibah Travelling Bowlers are a dedicated men’s lawn bowls group based at the Kahibah Sports Club. The group organise social trips to other bowling clubs as well as hosting visiting clubs to Kahibah, fostering camaraderie, friendly competition and vital fundraising for our Auxiliary.

This generous contribution - made possible thanks to the Kahibah Travelling Bowlers weekly raffles and a variety of fundraising events held around the greens - will go towards purchasing comfort and care items for patients, as well as much-needed hospital equipment.

On behalf of the Auxiliary, Kay expressed sincere thanks for the group’s continued commitment and fundraising efforts.

Thank you, Kahibah Travelling Bowlers! 👏

28/08/2025

A heartfelt thank you to NBN News for shining a spotlight on Calvary Mater Newcastle's incredible Auxiliary!

We are so proud to see their dedication, passion, and tireless efforts being recognised by the wider community. Their work makes a real difference, and it's wonderful to see it celebrated in such a meaningful way. ❤️

📺 To watch the full interview and hear their inspiring story, click here:
https://ow.ly/qmqZ50WNhEu

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.

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. 💐

Address

20 Edith Street
Newcastle, NSW
2298

Website

https://www.calvarycare.org.au/public-hospital-mater-newcastle/

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