Toowoomba Haematology and Oncology Clinic

04/11/2025

At Toowoomba Haematology & Oncology Clinic (THOC), we believe that palliative care is about more than managing illness. It is about supporting quality of life, comfort, and dignity for every patient and their family.

Palliative care plays a vital role in helping people live well with serious or chronic illness. It focuses on relief from symptoms, emotional support, and coordinated care, ensuring patients receive compassionate attention across hospital, clinic, and home settings.

Leading this essential work at THOC is Nurse Practitioner Olivia O’Dempsey, who provides comprehensive palliative and chronic disease management for both public and private patients. Olivia is known for her compassionate, holistic approach and her ability to bridge care across multiple settings, including outpatient consultations, hospital visits, hospice, and community-based care.

Through her collaboration with Toowoomba Hospice, St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital, Toowoomba Base Hospital, and Brodribb Home, Olivia ensures seamless, patient-centred care at every stage of the journey.

💛 At THOC, we are proud to offer palliative care that honours the individual, supporting patients, families, and carers through empathy, expertise, and continuity of care.

📍 To learn more about our palliative care services or arrange a consultation, please contact the Toowoomba Haematology & Oncology Clinic.

15/10/2025

As our practice continues to grow, we’re seeking part-time and full-time Medical Receptionists to join our team at Toowoomba Haematology and Oncology Clinic.

This is a great opportunity to work in a caring, family-run clinic that makes a difference every day.

Apply now via our Seek ad below.

We’re seeking part-time and full-time medical receptionists to join our growing team and support compassionate, high-quality patient care.

14/10/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This month, we pause to recognise the strength and courage of those impacted by breast cancer — patients, families, and the incredible teams who care for them.

At Toowoomba Haematology and Oncology Clinic (THOC), we’re proud to have Dr Haakan Jakobsson supporting local patients through their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Working in collaboration with the dedicated team at St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital, our region is fortunate to have comprehensive care available close to home. Every aspect of care, both medical and holistic, is designed to guide and support patients throughout their journey.

💗 At THOC, we’re here to walk beside our patients every step of the way.

05/09/2025

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month!

Blood cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

At Toowoomba Haematology and Oncology Clinic, our haematologists are experts in diagnosing and managing blood cancers, providing evidence-based care for our community. This month we stand with patients and families in raising awareness and supporting progress in research and treatment.

04/09/2025

Iron deficiency is the leading blood disorder globally and can affect people at any stage of life. Iron is essential for producing haemoglobin, which allows red blood cells to carry oxygen, and it plays a role in almost every cellular process in the body.

Without enough iron, the body does not function properly. Symptoms are often widespread and non-specific, including fatigue, poor concentration, dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, brittle nails, hair loss and reduced exercise tolerance. Importantly, patients with iron deficiency, even without anaemia, can experience the same symptoms as those with anaemia.

One of the most common causes of iron deficiency in women is heavy menstrual bleeding. Each cycle leads to blood and iron loss, and when bleeding is heavier or prolonged, iron stores can quickly become depleted, sometimes progressing to iron deficiency anaemia.

If left untreated, iron deficiency can significantly impact quality of life, reducing productivity, increasing illness susceptibility and causing symptoms such as palpitations. Recognising the link between iron deficiency and its underlying causes is a key step toward improving overall health and wellbeing.

02/09/2025

The Cancer Care Pathway, Simplified

From first suspicion through to treatment and beyond, Toowoomba Haematology and Oncology Clinic delivers coordinated, patient-centred care at every stage:

🔹 Diagnosis & Referral – Imaging, biopsy, and rapid access via our Open Access Referral Pathway
🔹 Treatment – Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, radiation, and stem cell transplantation
🔹 Monitoring & Support – Ongoing reviews, symptom management, and supportive therapies
🔹 Outcome Pathways – Survivorship care or palliative care focused on quality of life

Our multidisciplinary team ensures timely, compassionate, and personalised care supporting both patients and their families throughout the cancer journey.

📌 Referrals are required and can be made at any stage of the diagnostic process, including undifferentiated or suspected malignancies.

📊 Explore the full pathway in our infographic below.

25/08/2025

A big Happy Birthday to our Practice Manager, Tammy! 🥳🎂

We celebrated this week with plenty of cake and, of course, lots of pink! It wouldn’t be Tammy’s birthday without it!

Wishing you the happiest milestone birthday today, Tammy. May the year ahead be filled with joy and laughter!

12/08/2025

Dr Stephanie Wallwork — Expanding Private Consultation Hours

We’re proud to have Dr Stephanie Wallwork as part of the Toowoomba Haematology and Oncology Clinic team. A proud Fairholme College graduate and Toowoomba local, Dr Wallwork is a dual-trained clinical and laboratory haematologist with extensive experience across both regional and metropolitan centres.

After graduating with honours from the University of Queensland, she completed her advanced training at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, earning the prestigious Eva Raik Memorial Prize.

In addition to her private practice, Dr Wallwork holds a Staff Specialist position at Toowoomba Base Hospital, where she continues to contribute to public healthcare in our region.

Dr Wallwork is now increasing her private consultation hours at THOC and is welcoming new referrals. She offers expert care for patients with blood cancers such as lymphoma, leukaemia, and myeloma, as well as bleeding, clotting, anaemia, and complex blood count concerns.

For referrals or appointments, please contact our clinic directly.
📞07 4646 2478
📩reception@thoc.com.au

Specialists in rural and regional haematology and oncology care

06/08/2025

Last night we officially celebrated the grand opening of our new suites!

We were honoured to welcome friends, colleagues, and supporters as we marked the beginning of a new chapter for cancer care in the Darling Downs. Our vision has always been to create a compassionate, patient-centred clinic that brings together expert haematologists, oncologists, a dedicated palliative care team, and a nurse practitioner-led cancer survivorship program — all under one roof.

Our goal is simple: to ensure that patients facing blood and solid organ cancers receive the best care, close to home.

This milestone would not have been possible without our incredible team, whose dedication and expertise drive everything we do and, most importantly, our wonderful patients, who place their trust in us every day.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here's to many more years of care, compassion, and community. 💙

15/07/2025