Thanks to ongoing research and rapidly advancing treatment options, children with cancer are more likely to live longer than ever before.  

Thanks to ongoing research and rapidly advancing treatment options, children with cancer are more likely to live longer than ever before.  

The specialised area of paediatric oncology is constantly evolving, with new treatment plans, clinical trials, medical equipment and innovative ways of administering medications all contributing to better outcomes for patients.  

Today, certain childhood cancers can be treated and even cured with targeted therapies that were unheard of a decade ago. More traditional cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy are also improving, resulting in fewer side effects and reducing long-term health complications for children.  

These developments are especially exciting for the 99 oncology nurses working in the Kids Cancer Centre (KCC) at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick (SCH). While their focus is on delivering the best possible outcomes for children with cancer, the dynamic environment means an increased demand for these nurses to upskill and adapt to the latest evidence-based care. 

Empowering oncology nurses through education and clinical trials 

Staying up to date with new treatments and clinical trials is no small task for KCC nurses, especially alongside an already busy workload. Cancer treatments and clinical trial results are not always published in real time, or accessible in traditional nursing literature. Treatments are often tailored to each individual child, with different guidelines for each. 

Thanks to the generosity of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation donors, a dedicated Nurse Educator, Sara Hulbert, has helped the nurses at the KCC to stay up to date with cutting-edge treatments and the latest research.  

Day to day, Sara works closely with the SCH clinical trials team to understand current and upcoming trials relevant to the oncology nurses. This information is used to identify training opportunities, with Sara leading the development of tailored training programs to ensure nurses are equipped to deliver the best care.  

As a familiar face on the hospital floor, Sara is closely involved in each child’s treatment journey, delivering training to staff and helping guide clinical decision-making to support better outcomes for children with cancer.   

Over the last year, KCC Nurse Educator, Sara, has oriented 16 new staff to the oncology ward and facilitated 13 study days for 105 nurses. 

Supporting the next generation of oncology nurses 

Sara’s busy schedule reflects the importance of her role. Over the last year, she has oriented 16 new staff to the oncology ward and facilitated 13 study days for 105 nurses - 55 of whom were from outside oncology or external to the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, including nurses from regional hospitals in NSW, Adelaide and Canberra. Her role has also involved mentoring postgraduate nursing students. 

Looking ahead, Sara is finalising oncology training programs to meet the increased demand expected when the Minderoo Comprehensive Children’s Cancer Centre at SCH opens. By sharing her knowledge widely, Sara is helping nurses deliver the best cancer care to patients, aligning with the Foundation’s vision to create a world where every child receives the best healthcare, when and where they need it.