Oncology - Peninsula Health

Peninsula Health Oncology Research Unit is a dedicated public health service committed to providing innovative and ground breaking clinical trial as well as high quality health services research program to our community. The research studies are also integrated with the leading cancer researchers at Monash University and others to enable better access for novel treatments and care.

Established in the early 2000’s, our highly skilled team, led by A/Prof Mahesh Iddawela includes 11 medical oncologists, 2 advance trainees, nurse consultants, cancer co-ordinators and study coordinators, and provides a comprehensive cancer service including clinical trials and access to health services research projects to improve care to the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula communities.

The Unit prioritises person-centred care through providing access to new therapies, supportive care and innovative research program based on patient disease and needs with dedicated education and support from our skilled team throughout the cancer journey.

Research focus

Conducting international, national clinical trials and developing novel trials to provide access to better treatments and improve outcomes
Precision cancer program to address important questions in cancer care, help improve access to novel treatments and bio-banking studies to support research
High-quality health services research program that aim to improve the quality of the life, patient experience and address patient needs and the needs of the community

Strengths

11 consultant medical oncologists with extensive combined research experience across all phases of trials
Experienced Nurse consultants, co-ordinators and allied health team
Integrated data collection and service analysis pipeline for health services research
Permanent Study Coordinator / Research Nurses with decades of combined clinical trial experience
Experience in multi-centre national and international clinical trials, data collection and investigator initiated trials from phase I – phase IV
Tumour streams: Breast, Lung, Colorectal, Gastric and Upper Gastric, Rare cancers, Renal Cell, Endometrial and Ovarian from phase I – phase III
7 dedicated oncology tumour stream multi-disciplinary team meetings (MDTs)
Dedicated Clinical Trials Pharmacist
Secure, controlled access IP storage
Pharmacy temperature monitoring and recording
Backup generator for power outages to all equipment 24/7
Blinded and un-blinded experience
Documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Onsite Radiology department
Onsite NATA accredited Pathology department – Dorevitch Pathology