In a huge breakthrough for the way health services are delivered in the region, the determination of a local doctor and the willingness of staff at the local hospital to help has made a world of difference to a Bathurst teenager and his family.

In fact, being able to have chemotherapy in Bathurst instead of making weekly trips to Westmead Hospital has been a godsend for Jordan Brown, 14.

The Bathurst High student was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a genetically-inherited disorder in which the nerve tissue grows tumours, when he was just four. Since then his health has had to be monitored very carefully.

Twelve months ago his mum, Kerry, took him to Sydney to get tested for a new treatment.

While assessing his suitability doctors discovered he had a glioma (tumour) on his optic nerve.

Surgical removal would have resulted in the loss of his eyesight so it was determined that chemotherapy once a week was the best way to stop the cancer advancing.

Jordan had to travel to Westmead once a week, spending six or seven hours at the hospital to receive a treatment that took about an hour to administer. A day trip meant an additional five hours of travelling time.

“It was very hard on the whole family,” Mrs Brown said. “Then Dr Tim McCrossin went in to bat for Jordan so he could have his treatment here in Bathurst.

“It took a lot of organising, but after 16 weeks of travelling backwards and forwards every week he was treated in ambulatory care at the hospital.”

This meant Jordan could be in and out of hospital in a couple of hours.

“Dr McCrossin was wonderful. He came to every treatment Jordan had,” Mrs Brown said.

The teenager had his chemotherapy sessions in blocks of four. The first was always done at Westmead and the remaining three in Bathurst.

Oncology nurses from Westmead initially made visits to the local hospital and were always ready with advice for those on the ground in Bathurst.

“The staff at the hospital were just sensational,” Mrs Brown said. “I don’t think we would have made it through without their help. It made a huge amount of difference in our lives.”

Mrs Brown and her husband Ross both work. They also have another son Cameron who is 16. Both boys are students at Bathurst High.

“Once Jordan was having his treatments in Bathurst I didn’t miss so much work and he didn’t miss so much school,” Mrs Brown said.

“I honestly don’t know how we would have got through the year if this had not been made possible for us. We are very grateful.”

Happily Jordan has now finished his treatment.