Residents near Buderim are expected to benefit from expanded cancer treatment services following the introduction of new medical technology at Sunshine Coast University Hospital in Birtinya.
Cancer Treatment Expansion Near Buderim
Cancer care services on the Sunshine Coast have expanded with the rollout of new imaging technology designed to support specialised treatment at Sunshine Coast University Hospital, located in Birtinya near Buderim.
The upgrade forms part of a $2.3 million investment that includes the introduction of a portable Cone Beam CT scanner designed for brachytherapy procedures.
Sunshine Coast University Hospital, located at 6 Doherty Street, Birtinya, is a tertiary level teaching hospital providing health services to communities across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions.
Real-Time Imaging During Treatment
The new imaging system enables clinicians to perform real-time imaging during brachytherapy procedures while a patient remains under anaesthetic.
This approach allows applicator insertion and radiation delivery to occur within the same procedure, removing the need for patients to be moved through the hospital for separate imaging during treatment.
Brachytherapy delivers radiation directly to the cancer site, which allows highly targeted treatment while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Expanded Treatment Capability
The service expansion allows the hospital to provide brachytherapy treatment for cancers including gynaecological and prostate cancers, among others.
The development increases access to specialised cancer treatment for patients across the Sunshine Coast, reducing the need for some patients to travel to Brisbane for certain procedures.
The program is expected to initially treat between 40 and 80 patients each year, with demand anticipated to increase as more patients from north of the Sunshine Coast choose to receive treatment in the region.
Southern Hemisphere First
The imaging technology supports a treatment process that enables real-time applicator insertion and radiation delivery during the same procedure.
The service has been described as the first and only one in the Southern Hemisphere capable of providing this type of integrated treatment and imaging during a single procedure.
The upgrade also supports training opportunities and the continued development of cancer treatment services within the Sunshine Coast health system.
Local Access To Treatment
For communities near Buderim, the expanded service provides additional options for specialised cancer treatment within the Sunshine Coast region.
The addition of new imaging capability is expected to strengthen local treatment capacity while allowing more patients to receive care closer to where they live.
Outlook
The rollout of the new imaging technology expands the capability of Sunshine Coast University Hospital to deliver specialised cancer treatment locally.
With patient demand expected to grow, the service aims to support more people across the region through increased access to targeted cancer treatment and imaging services.
Published 13-Mar-2026
