Radiation Therapy
Guide for New Patients
Our Heath Care Team
When you attend our Radiation Oncology Department your health care is co-ordinated by your Radiation Oncologist in consultation with a wide range of health professionals.
This group works together to ensure that your radiation therapy is provided in a safe and timely manner and that your well-being is maintained during and after treatment.
Over the course of your radiation therapy you may meet with several members of our health care team for treatment and support. These meetings are organised by your Radiation Oncologist or by an Oncology Nurse to help manage your condition.
If at any stage you would like advice from a member of our Allied Health team, please ask your Radiation Oncologist or Oncology Nurse for a referral.
Scroll down for an overview of our Radiation Oncology Department personnel and their role in your care.
Radiation Oncology Specialists
(Ipswich Road Campus)
Our Specialist Doctors have extensive experience in treating a variety of oncology conditions. They are responsible for prescribing your radiation treatment and overseeing your medical care. They work with our Allied Health care team to support your physical, psychological and nutritional well-being.
You can read more about our Radiation Oncology Specialists by selecting their names below.
Professor Margot Lehman
MBBS (HONS), FRANZCR, GDPH
Position: Senior Radiation Oncologist &
Medical Director of Radiation Oncology (ROPAIR)
Languages spoken: English
A/Prof David Pryor
BSc, MBBS, FRANZCR
Position: Senior Radiation Oncologist &
Deputy Director of Radiation Oncology (ROPAIR)
Languages spoken: English
Dr Tao Mai
MBBS, FRANZCR, PhD
Position: Senior Radiation Oncologist
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin
A/Prof Mark Pinkham
BM BCh MA (Hons) (Oxon) FRANZCR
Position: Senior Radiation Oncologist &
Director of Radiation Oncology Research
Languages spoken: English
Dr Lachlan McDowell
BAppSci (Med Rad Tech), MB BS, FRANZCR
Position: Radiation Oncologist
Languages spoken: English
Dr Yoo Young (Dominique) Lee
MBChB, FRANZCR
Position: Radiation Oncologist
Languages spoken: English, Korean
Dr Kim-Lin Chiew
MBBS, BSc (Med), FRANZCR
Position: Radiation Oncologist
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
A/Prof Matthew Foote
BSc, MBBS (Hons), FRANZCR
Position: Radiation Oncologist &
Co-Director of the Gamma Knife Unit
Languages spoken: English
Dr Jennifer Harvey
BSc (Hons), MBBS, FRANZCR
Position: Senior Radiation Oncologist
Languages spoken: English
Dr Howard Liu
BPhty (Hons). MBBS, FRANZCR
Position: Radiation Oncologist
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin
Dr Michael Huo
MBBS, FRANZCR
Position: Radiation Oncologist
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin
Dr Mihir Shanker
MBBS, FRANZCR, CHIA, MMed, MPhil, BEng (Hons)
Position: Radiation Oncologist
Languages spoken: English, Hindi
Radiation Therapists
Our Radiation Therapists work in several areas of the Radiation Oncology Department. They design and deliver your radiation treatment as prescribed by your Specialist Doctor (Radiation Oncologist).
Below are some of the services our Radiation Therapists provide at our Ipswich Road Campus.
CT Planning
Radiation Therapists work out how to best position you for treatment. They take CT scans (X-ray pictures) to identify the part of your body where radiation needs to be applied and then record information so that your treatment can be designed and delivered accurately.
Dosimetry
Radiation Therapists use a specialised computer system to design your radiation therapy plan as prescribed by your Radiation Oncologist. They process the CT scan information to create a map displaying how the radiation is distributed through your treatment area.
Radiation Treatment
Radiation Therapists position you and administer radiation to your treatment area using a machine called a linear accelerator. This is done following the instructions outlined in your radiation therapy plan.
Quality Assurance
Radiation Therapists take scans or X-ray pictures before administering treatment to check that your radiation therapy is targeting the correct area. These X-ray pictures are reviewed by your Radiation Oncologist.
Clinical Trials
Radiation Therapists may also work in a clinical trials role, collecting information for research studies looking at new ways of treating cancer.
Research
At our centre, Radiation Therapists also participate in research activities which aim to improve patient care and treatment results.
Oncology Nurses
Our Oncology Nurses can be approached anytime for medical care and radiation therapy advice. They liaise with your Radiation Oncologist and our Allied Health groups to facilitate your oncology care.
Below are some of the services our Oncology Nurses provide at our Ipswich Road Campus.
Pre-treatment education
Referral to Allied Health services e.g. Physiotherapy
Advice about managing radiation side effects
Assistance with skin care and wound management
Management of radiation related health concerns
Review of treatment related medications
Pain management
Monitoring of pacemakers and defibrillators
Post treatment care telephone review
Information regarding transport options
If you have any treatment related concerns please go to the Nurse Station to ask for assistance.
You can also call our nursing care advice line : (07) 3176 1962 between (8:00am & 8:30pm, excluding weekends public holidays).
Medical Physicists
Our Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists make sure that radiation therapy is delivered safely and accurately. They monitor all equipment and processes used to design and deliver radiation therapy.
Below are some of the services our Medical Physicists provide at our Ipswich Road Campus.
Patient specific quality assurance:
Medical Physicists provide an additional check of radiation therapy plans to ensure all calculations are correct and treatment requirements are met
Commissioning & quality assurance:
Medical Physicists regularly measure and calibrate the radiation output of the treatment machines to ensure that your radiation therapy is administered as planned.
Radiation safety:
Medical Physicists monitor all radiation therapy procedures to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and members of the general public
Research & development:
Medical Physicists research and implement new radiation therapy techniques. These techniques improve treatment results.
Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists routinely work behind the scenes to ensure that the radiation therapy our department provides is administered accurately and meets the required safety standards.
Allied Health Team
Our department has a wide range of Allied Health services that can be accessed during and after your treatment. If you need Allied Health support please speak to our Oncology Nurses or your Radiation Oncologist.
You can learn more about our Cancer Services Allied Health team and the type of support they can provide by viewing the videos.
Physiotherapists
Aim to restore physical functioning and fitness by managing cancer symptoms and the effects of treatment. Individualised programs and/or group based exercise classes are available.
Speech Pathologists
Provide support, assessment and management for people having difficulty with swallowing, eating and drinking or communicating as a result of their cancer or the treatment they receive.
Dietitians
Provide dietary advice and support to help keep you well nourished during your treatment and recovery period. We can help you manage side effects to ensure that you have the optimal nutrition.
Occupational Therapists
Help you maintain or maximise your independence, enabling you to do the things that are meaningful to you. We offer strategies to overcome physical, emotional and cognitive problems caused by cancer and its treatment.
Social Workers
Assist in dealing with the emotional and practical issues that may arise because of your illness or the illness of a loved one. We help patients (outpatients or inpatients), families, and carers. We also provide a referral pathway to community services.
Administration
Our Administration team are your first point of call whether by telephone or in person. When you attend for radiation therapy, our friendly staff will guide you through your appointments and assist you with any enquiries.
Below are some of the services our administration team provide at our Ipswich Road Campus.
Future treatment appointment times, schedule changes and time frames
Information regarding ambulance and community transport.
Hospital parking enquiries and security code access to cancer services car park for patients receiving radiation treatment.
Changes to your address and other demographic details.
Allied health appointments (Dietitian, Social Worker, Physio, Speech and Occupational Therapy).
Bulk billing information: Please bring any relevant health service cards with you, these may include -Medicare Card, Department of Veterans Affairs Card, Pension Card, Health Care Card and private health information (only if applicable).
If you are attending for radiation therapy and need to discuss appointments, calls can be made to our general enquiries line on: (07) 3176 6586 (8:00am & 8:30pm, excluding weekends public holidays).
View index | Prev | Next
- Specialist Doctors
- Radiation Therapists
- Oncology Nurses
- Medical Physicists
- Allied Health Support
- Administration
- Arriving for planning session
- Setting your treatment position
- Scanning the area to be treated
- Recording your treatment area
- After your radiation planning
- Your treatment plan
- Quality assurance
- Arriving for your treatment
- Preparation and Set-up
- Administering radiation
- After your first treatment
- The Linear Accelerator
(radiation treatment machine)
- Radiation Oncology Dept contacts
- Hospital location map