Westmead Hospital named among best in world for cancer, diabetes

Westmead Hospital has been named among the best specialised hospitals in the world for oncology and endocrinology in a new report released by US publication Newsweek.

The study surveyed medical specialists around the world and narrowed down 22,000 recommendations to create a list of the top 100 hospitals for endocrinology (the study and treatment of the endocrine system, which is responsible for hormones) and the top 200 for oncology (the study and treatment of cancer).

The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre (CPMCC) at Westmead Hospital was one of six Australian services to be named among the world’s best specialised oncology centres.

Westmead Hospital Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology director Professor N Wah Cheung said he was “extremely proud” to see the department named among the world’s best endocrinology services.

Prof Cheung explained the hospital has performed ground-breaking clinical work in many aspects of diabetes management and care, including inpatient diabetes management, care of women with diabetes in pregnancy, young adults with diabetes, the use of technology such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, islet cell transplants for type 1 diabetes, better integration of care with GPs, and has been a world leader in the area of iodine deficiency.

“Apart from the various aspects of diabetes care and general endocrinology, Westmead Hospital has been providing highly specialised endocrinology services for conditions such as pituitary disease, infertility, thyroid cancer, genetic endocrine disorders, and osteoporosis,” Prof Cheung said.

“Part of the reason for our clinical success is the collaborative environment of Westmead, with our systems of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary care. Therefore this recognition is a reflection of the high standard of care of provided by Westmead Hospital as a whole.”