BAILEY’S Mansion has once again opened its historic doors to patients.
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Oncologist Dr Craig Carden from Ballarat Cancer Care has taken over part of the 129-year-old building to be closer to both the Ballarat hospitals and inpatients.
Dr Carden began working from the Drummond Street North building two weeks ago, transferring his practice from Howitt Street.
“I thought it would be a good idea to work on-site and close to the inpatients,” Dr Carden said.
“I started looking for rooms and then I heard these were available.
“It’s a lovely environment to work in.”
Bailey’s Mansion, which was built in 1883, is located on the St John of God Hospital grounds and was only used for administration offices until Dr Carden took over three rooms and a waiting area.
Dr Carden will work with both St John of God Hospital and the Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre, where he will hold two clinics per week.
One of them will be dedicated to clinical trials and research in prostate, lung and ovarian cancer.
Yesterday, patient Doreen Forbes said she spent the first part of her 40-year nursing career at Bailey’s Mansion, beginning as a 15-year-old night duty carer.
“I have very good memories from my time here.
“It’s a great old building,” Ms Forbes said.
“I think it will be a much better set-up here as far as wellness concerns go.
“This will be much more relaxing.”
Dr Carden studied medicine at the University of Sydney and has undergone speciality training at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Austin and Royal Melbourne hospitals.
He then completed a three-year fellowship and research degree program at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London.
He was also the principal fellow in early trials of two of the most exciting drugs in prostate and ovarian cancers, Abiraterone and Olaparib.
Dr Carden is also developing an open access patient information portal for all Ballarat regional cancer patients.
St John of God Hospital chief executive officer Michael Krieg said he was thrilled Dr Carden had chosen to consult from Bailey’s Mansion.
“This will ensure that the local community has access to the very best oncology expertise and care,” Mr Krieg said.
BHS board of management president Andrew Faull also said Dr Carden was a great addition to the staff.
fiona.henderson@thecourier.com.au