Keeping Cancer Care Closer to Home
As an oncologist working with patients across Otago and Southland, Dr Blair McLaren knows how difficult a cancer diagnosis can be, not just for patients, but for their families. He also knows that the distance between treatment centres can make a hard journey even harder. That’s why he’s passionate about bringing cancer care closer to home for the growing Central Otago community.
“When patients have cancer, it’s a really difficult time. What’s really helpful is if we can bring as much of the service to them here rather than have them travel long distances for treatment.”
When people are going through cancer treatment, every small comfort matters. The fewer hours they have to spend on the road, away from home, the more energy they can put into healing. “We’re very keen on making sure that we can provide a service as close to people’s homes as possible,” says Dr McLaren. “When patients have got cancer, it’s a really difficult time. What’s really helpful is if we can bring as much of the service to them here rather than have them travel long distances for treatment.”
That local care connection is exactly what Dunstan Hospital provides. Dr McLaren and his colleagues from Dunedin Hospital regularly visit Dunstan to treat patients and support the hospital’s clinical team. “It’s a fabulous hospital,” he says. “I enjoy coming here to see people, and I know it’s a lot easier on patients. They’re more comfortable, and they’ve got their families and friends close by.”
Cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally intense. Having the chance to return home between sessions, surrounded by familiar support networks, can make all the difference. “People are going through a difficult time—they need every advantage they can get,” he says. “We know we’re helping if we can see them locally.”
Dr McLaren is quick to acknowledge the dedication of Dunstan’s staff, who consistently go “the extra mile” to care for people in their own district. “It’s a fantastic example of health done locally, done well. The team here are flexible—they look at what their community needs and make changes quickly to meet that demand. It’s one of the reasons Dunstan is my favourite hospital in the South Island.”
As the Central Otago population continues to grow, Dunstan’s role in providing specialist care locally will only become more important. “Everyone knows this area is growing rapidly. There are going to be increasing healthcare needs here, and Dunstan is perfectly positioned to meet them. They just need the support and the resources to keep doing what they do best.”
That support, he says, can come directly from the community.
“If people in Central Otago want their care done locally, the best thing they can do is support Dunstan Hospital because Dunstan is where it all happens.”
Currently, 45 different medical specialists visit Dunstan Hospital from Dunedin Hospital and other centres, providing outpatient and treatment services close to home. “We’re all committed to making sure that people here get the best care in their own hospital,” says Dr McLaren. “Dunstan is a model for how rural healthcare can be done by combining local leadership with specialist collaboration.”
Looking ahead, he sees Dunstan evolving into a truly top-class regional hospital, one capable of serving an even larger community while maintaining the personal care and agility that define it today. “You can get excellent care here in Dunstan care that matches most things we can do in Dunedin. That’s something worth supporting and protecting.”
Help Build a Future of Local Care
Through the Dunstan Hospital Foundation, community donations directly support the hospital’s ability to expand specialist services like oncology, upgrade facilities, and invest in advanced technology. Every contribution helps keep families together during treatment and ensures patients can receive the very best care close to home.
Your generosity helps turn distance into connection, stress into comfort, and treatment into healing.
Donate today.