Paediatric radiation oncology
The information below will help explain the role of the radiation therapists (RTs) within the paediatric team at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) and the radiation therapy treatment process to parents and their children.
A booklet that follows a paediatric patient, Layla, through her first day in the Radiation Oncology department, from having her stabilisation device made to receiving her first treatment, is also available to download. It also explains what happens in the different areas of the department.
Radiation Oncology paediatric team
- The team aim to assign a suitable “buddy” to all paediatric patients attending the department.
- These “buddies” are very experienced radiation therapists with an interest in helping young patients with their journey through radiation therapy.
- They meet with the patient and family to introduce them to the Radiotherapy Department and can assist patients and families by helping to answer any questions they may have.
- Buddies will also introduce the patient and family to the staff rostered on the machines used in the treatment process.
Treatment
In a mould room, staff will make stabilisation equipment such as masks and vac bags to ensure patients are in a comfortable and reproducible position. They can also personalise the mask with paints.
In a CT appointment, staff will scan the area they will be treating to obtain all the necessary information to plan specifically for the patient. This ensures they can accurately deliver the dose to the required area and avoid other areas, such as critical structures.
The team use special computer programs to plan the radiation treatment using the acquired CT scan. The plan is checked by RTs, physicists, and the radiation oncologists, to ensure it is correct and meets all the requirements.
Once the plan is approved, it is transferred into an information system and can be delivered using any of our treatment machines. Every day the team deliver the same plan. They will do some imaging before starting the treatment to ensure they aim for the correct spot and will make small corrections if required.
Buddies can attend Day 1 (or additional days if required) of treatment to guide the patient and their family and answer any questions.
Buddies can also create a reward system, such as a sticker countdown chart, or have small prizes for the patient to tick off treatment after it is done for the day.
Our facilities
Kids Corner
There is a Kids Corner in one of our waiting rooms (near Jarrah, Marri, Wandoo) which has lots of toys that patients and their families can play with. In the Kids Corner, there are also notice boards with some information about paediatric treatment and an introduction to our buddies.
Inside the treatment room
Console area outside the treatment room
Meet our radiation oncologists
The doctors or radiation oncologists looking after our paediatric patients are Dr Mandy Taylor and Dr Joshua Dass.
Dr Mandy Taylor
Dr Joshua Dass
Mandy and Joshua have many years of experience in the planning and treatment of paediatric patients and will be there for patients and families along the way. They will see each patient and their family if needed every week to ensure all is going well.
If you would like to talk to someone about anything radiotherapy related, please contact a staff member from our paediatric team or one of the RTs on the machines who will be assisting with the treatment. They can then liaise with the doctor or nurses to ensure the patient receives the assistance they need.
For any further information, please download our Radiation Oncology paediatric information booklet or contact our Radiation Oncology department.
