Public urology patients to access care at private hospital under new arrangement

A Bundaberg-raised specialist is travelling back to the region delivering an important service to public patients, saving them the trip to Brisbane, under a key health partnership.

Urology services are returning to the public health system in Bundaberg, thanks to a partnership between Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.

Urology services are returning to the public health system in Bundaberg, thanks to a partnership between Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.

Previously patients with urological complaints, including diseases and conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder control problems, and prostate problems have had to travel to Brisbane for treatment.

Under the new partnership, patients under the care of Bundaberg Hospital can receive urology services at the Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg.

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There are currently 300 patients in Bundaberg on the waitlist for urology treatment that will benefit from being able to receive the treatment locally.

“We know that this is an important issue and service enhancement for our community,” Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service chief executive Debbie Carroll said.

“Travelling to Brisbane for specialist care is disruptive to patients’ daily lives, takes them away from their support networks and ... can be physically difficult due to other medical conditions or mobility issues.”

A hospital and health service spokesman said 25 patients have accessed services through the new arrangement.

One of these patients, 89-year-old Fay Steel of Bundaberg, underwent a urological procedure in early May.

Fay Steel no longer needs to travel to Brisbane with her husband John for urology appointments thanks to the return of a local public urology service which see patients from the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service area access a clinic at Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg. They are pictured with WBHHS Chief Executive Debbie Carroll (left) and Mater General Manager Catherine Hackney (right).

Her husband John Steel said being able to have the treatment locally provided significant added convenience.

“In the past we have had to travel to Brisbane by train, stay at a hotel, Fay would have her treatment and then we’d catch the train home,” Mr Steel said.

“We’re getting a bit frail, so being able to access the services locally makes it much easier for both of us – we’re very much looking forward to future treatments being here in Bundaberg.”

Dr Andrew Strahan is the urologist who will be consulting under the new arrangement, visiting Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg every two to four weeks from his home hospital of Mater Private Hospital Redland.

Dr Andrew Strahan is the urologist who will be consulting under the new arrangement, visiting Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg every two to four weeks from his home hospital of Mater Private Hospital Redland.

Raised in Bundaberg, Dr Strahan said his involvement in the initiative was an opportunity to give back to the community.

“There is a significant lack of public urological care in Wide Bay, with no one previously servicing the region,” Dr Strahan said.

“For most patients, the time spent travelling to Brisbane far exceeds the time actually spent in theatre.

“I also grew up in Bundaberg – it’s home – so this was an opportunity to give back to the community I grew up in.”

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Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg general manager Catherine Hackney said the initiative will help to address “a gap in services in Wide Bay”.

“This is an exciting collaboration to address a gap in services in Wide Bay and, in turn, improve the health and wellbeing of those in our community,” Mrs Hackney said.