Tell us about yourself and your role. What does regional healthcare mean to you, and what do patients tell you about being treated close to home?
I’m Kim Foulkes, a Cancer Care Coordinator and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Day Oncology. I’m a regional girl at heart and have been living in Albury since 1998. Before that, I worked in Canberra, Junee and even India, after starting my nursing career in 1993.
Regional healthcare is really important to me because people in country communities deserve great care close to home. We support around 300,000 people across our region, and many patients travel long distances to access treatment. Being able to come to one place and have the care and support they need nearby makes a huge difference.
Patients often tell us how much they value having their treatment and appointments coordinated locally, rather than needing to travel away from family and support networks. Knowing we can make a difficult time a little easier for patients and their loved ones is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I’m proud to be part of a team that provides that care for our community.
The centre has been open for ten years. How have you seen it change, and what do you hope for the next ten years?
Before the centre opened, I worked in Day Oncology at AWH Albury in an eight-chair treatment area. Since then, we've moved into a 28-chair facility, so it's been incredible to see how much the service has grown. The last ten years have been a particularly exciting time to be part of cancer care.
I've also seen enormous changes in treatment and patient outcomes. People are living longer and better through their treatment, and advances in areas like immunotherapy have completely changed what is possible for many patients. It's been amazing to witness that transformation and to see people offered hope and opportunities that simply weren't available years ago.
Looking ahead, I'd love to see even more cancers cured as treatments continue to evolve through research and clinical trials.
Can you share a moment, where having consistent care made a difference?
Since stepping into my new role as Cancer Care Coordinator, I’ve seen how much it matters to have someone guiding a patient through their whole journey. I supported one person through both radiation and chemotherapy, and without that help I don’t believe they would have been able to get to all of their treatment.
They had limited family support to get here, so they relied on Cancer Council’s transport service to travel to their appointments, which was really important for them. Treatment meant coming in five days a week for radiation and weekly for chemotherapy. That’s a big burden for anyone, particularly someone who is older and doesn’t have strong health literacy.
How does continuity of care help people who live far from the centre, such as in smaller towns and on farms?
Continuity of care means patients have a consistent point of contact throughout their treatment journey. For people travelling from smaller towns and rural communities, that coordination can make a significant difference.
One of the original strengths of the centre's design was bringing cancer services together in one location, including medical oncology, radiation therapy and supportive services. Instead of navigating multiple providers across different sites, patients can access much of their care in one place.
I've cared for patients who travel several hours for treatment. Having coordinated appointments, clear communication and support services available helps reduce stress and makes treatment more manageable for both patients and their families.
How far does Cancer Council’s Transport to Treatment service reach, and how do patients access it?
Cancer Council NSW’s Transport to Treatment is a free service for eligible people with cancer who can’t use community transport or who find it hard to get to treatment. Trained volunteer drivers take people to cancer treatment in Cancer Council NSW vehicles. For patients in small towns and on farms, it can be the difference between making treatment and missing it.
The service covers a radius of about 200 kilometres from the centre. The service is based in New South Wales, but it can support eligible people living close to the border.
Referrals are made through the cancer care coordination team, and patients then work directly with Cancer Council's client services team to arrange transport for future appointments. The bookings are coordinated by Cancer Council NSW, and the team does its best to help as many people as possible who are eligible. Every Thursday night, patients are informed of whether Cancer Council can support their transport to treatment for the following week.
Sometimes a volunteer will drive 160 kilometres to collect a patient from home in a town like Finley in NSW and take them to treatment. Then another volunteer driver will drive them home again following their treatment.
After ten years in oncology nursing, what would you say to a young nurse who is considering a career in cancer care?
Oncology is a very special area of nursing. It takes compassion, empathy and a genuine desire to support people through some of the toughest times in their lives. If that sounds like you, there are so many opportunities to learn, grow and build a rewarding career in oncology nursing.
One of the most fulfilling parts of the job is knowing you can make a real difference in someone's life. If oncology is an area that interests you, don't be afraid to give it a go. We all had to start somewhere, and there's great support and training available to help you develop the skills and confidence you need.
Experienced oncology nurses are incredibly important as cancer services continue to grow, and it's a career that offers both challenges and rewards every day. If you're thinking about becoming an oncology nurse, there are various opportunities for further education. I'd absolutely encourage you to go for it. You never know the impact you might have on a patient, their family, and your community.
What has made the biggest difference to you over ten years at the centre?
One of the best things about working here has been the people. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working alongside incredible colleagues across nursing, allied health and medicine. We've built a close-knit team that genuinely supports one another, and I’ll always be grateful for the friendships and professional relationships I've made over the past ten years.
In oncology, you work in an environment where people have complex needs, and there can be a lot of emotion involved. It's important to be there for patients and families, but it's also important to look after each other. Through all of it, we've never lost our sense of humour. Being able to laugh together, support one another and share the tough days makes a huge difference. My colleagues help me be the best version of myself, and that allows me to give my best to our patients.
Many of the people we meet never expected to walk through our doors. Cancer isn't something anyone plans for, and it's a real privilege to care for people during some of the most challenging times in their lives. While we can't take away what they're going through, we can offer support, kindness, a listening ear and, sometimes, a bit of laughter.
Some of the most meaningful conversations I've ever had have been with patients in Day Oncology. They share their stories, their worries, their hopes and often their humour. Those connections are something I'll always treasure.
For me, it's about being genuine, keeping things real and being honest, while always making sure people leave with hope. Hope can make an incredible difference, and if we can give someone even a little bit of that, then we've done something worthwhile.
What keeps your energy up on tough days, and what do you do outside work to recharge?
What keeps me going on the tougher days is definitely the people I work with. We have a fantastic team, and being able to chat, check in and share a laugh with colleagues makes a real difference. I also love having music playing in the background. It helps create a relaxed atmosphere for both patients and staff. I'm usually the one choosing the playlist, and you'll often hear plenty of '80s music, although I mix in some '70s and '90s favourites as well. My colleagues like to tell me they hate my music choices, but I think deep down they don't mind!
Outside of work, I love to travel and experience new places and cultures. It gives me the chance to switch off, recharge and gain a different perspective. I'm also actively involved in my local church community, which is a big source of support, connection and balance in my life.
Between spending time with family and friends, travelling, and being involved in my church, I find plenty of ways to recharge so I can bring my best self to work and to the patients and families we care for.
If you had one message for the community on this 10-year anniversary, what would it be?
My message is that no one should face cancer alone.
Over the past ten years, the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre has allowed people across our region to access high-quality cancer care close to home, while staying connected to their families, friends, communities and support networks.
The centre is more than a building. It’s a place where people are supported through some of the most challenging times of their lives. It has been a great asset to our community and region, because people can come here and be close to the people who matter to them.
Most treatments are available right here at home. For the few specialised therapies we don’t offer locally, patients may need to travel to Melbourne, and our team supports them every step of the way.