A unique public/private partnership with a fresh approach to cancer treatment celebrates its third anniversary this month.
The Kathleen Kilgour Centre (KKC) in Tauranga is a radiation oncology facility offering treatment to patients from around New Zealand.
"The centre is a private enterprise and is unique in New Zealand. Offering multiple treatment options affords greater flexibility for our patients," says Helen Morgan, business development manager at KKC.
As a private business, KKC has greater scope for innovation around new technologies and methods of achieving optimal outcomes for patients. Patients have access to technology at the cutting edge of radiation treatment and staff are constantly kept up to date with new developments.
"KKC is the only radiation oncology centre in New Zealand currently offering the SpaceOAR implant, a new technique designed to minimise side effects for prostate cancer patients," says Morgan. "We are currently the only centre in New Zealand offering private high dose rate brachytherapy for this same group of patients."
"Our team have also designed a unique treatment for dealing with small, superficial skin tumours which is much less invasive than other techniques."
The facility itself was designed by architects Wingate and Farquhar and features a three-storey atrium with a living wall of plants - one of the largest in New Zealand. It's a light-filled and airy space and a welcome change from the clinical environment which most patients have come from after their surgery and chemotherapy treatment.
There were significant technical issues surrounding the design of the building but the architects managed to create a space that pairs functionality with attractive, inviting interiors.
Morgan says the centre was conceptualised years before the doors opened in October 2014:
"It took five years from concept to realisation; it was so wonderful when we finally opened our doors to the public."
In the three years since, KKC has treated over 2,500 patients and delivered more than 37,000 radiotherapy treatments. Before the centre opened, Bay of Plenty cancer patients had to travel to Hamilton for their radiotherapy treatments - difficult, as they had to stay away from home for extended periods.
"Often treatment for these patients was delayed or cancelled as they weren't well enough to make the daily round trip to Hamilton," Morgan says.
Patients come from around the wider Bay of Plenty district but KKC welcomes people from other regions, treating many patients from around the North Island.
Those travelling from further afield with Southern Cross health insurance can have much of their accommodation paid for while they are undergoing treatment at KKC.
"We have an agreement with Southern Cross that covers the cost of accommodation, making it much easier for those travelling away from home," says Morgan.
The environment in the Kathleen Kilgour Centre is warm and welcoming, something which Morgan says the patients really appreciate after being in a hospital environment.
"We get feedback all the time from patients telling us how much they love the centre and how the environment makes their daily visits more pleasurable. It's very modern and the patients feel like they are in a nurturing environment."
While most patients are referred to KKC via their specialist, Morgan says it's possible for patients to self-refer.
"The best thing for patients who require radiotherapy treatment and would like that delivered in a modern, state of the art facility is for them to call us and discuss their situation with our team," she says.
People wishing to contact the Kathleen Kilgour Centre should visit their website kathleenkilgourcentre.co.nz or call them on 07 929 7995.