Allison Hadley has committed to an initial three-month contract and will hold clinics two days per week on Thursdays and Fridays, beginning on Thursday,

September 4.

Hunter New England Health Director of Cancer Services, Colum Smith, said the appointment would stabilise the services offered from Tamworth Hospital, as well as increase the clinics back up to two days per week.

“We understand that it has been a difficult time for people and we’re pleased that our extensive search for a medical oncologist has resulted in Dr Hadley accepting an initial three-month contract,” Dr Smith said.

Steve Ackland, a medical oncologist from the Calvary Mater Newcastle, will continue his weekly clinic this month and his final one will be on August 26.

“I’d like to thank Tamworth Hospital oncology patients, their carers and the wider community for their understanding as we undertake the challenging task of finding a medical oncologist to serve Tamworth Hospital,” Dr Smith said.

“We understand that the absence of a permanent medical oncologist may have caused some concern in the community, but we believe patient care should not be compromised by employing anything less than a suitable fully-accredited oncologist, who is capable of making the right decisions for our patients.

“We hope Dr Hadley will find her experience with us rewarding.

“Most recently, Dr Hadley was a medical oncologist at St George Hospital, which is part of the South East Sydney Illawarra Health Service.”

Dr Smith said the Area Health Service remained committed to finding long-term solutions for the delivery of ongoing cancer care at Tamworth Hospital for the communities of the New England region.

“The appointment of a full-time permanent medical oncologist to provide services to Tamworth is still our priority, and we’ll continue to provide the best service we can through Calvary Mater Newcastle Oncology Department,” Dr Smith said.

Hunter New England Health said it wanted to publicly thank the medical oncologists Dr Ackland and locum Dr Stephen Vaughan, who have ensured medical oncology services continued to be provided in Tamworth during July and August.