Aim: To evaluate the operational and clinical challenges and benefits involved in establishing a comprehensive private haematology service, including the integration of advanced therapies such as the Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, and to assess its impact on patient access, staff development, and service delivery.
Method: This evaluation was conducted at Epworth Freemasons Campus over a five-year period from the staged implementation of a new haematology unit through to the expansion of services. The process involved infrastructure development, the establishment of laboratory and apheresis services including National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation, the clinical development of nursing staff, the implementation of clinical trials (phases I–III), and credentialing of medical staff under a tiered model. Clinical and operational records, workforce training outcomes, and trial enrolment statistics in conjunction with descriptive analysis and data collection were used to evaluate performance across key service and clinical domains.
Results: The service successfully delivered traditional and targeted therapies including Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) and CAR T-cell therapy in a private setting. Key achievements included development of multidisciplinary team approach, increased clinical trial capacity and capability, enhanced staff training and development programs, and improved patient access to advanced care. Notable challenges involved credentialing complexities, infrastructure scaling, and financial modelling in a non-public setting.
Conclusion: Establishing an advanced haematology unit in the private sector is feasible and beneficial, though not without operational and clinical complexities. The current model developed provides a blueprint for expanding services and access to cutting-edge therapies and informs future strategies for staff education, service sustainability, and cellular therapy integration across healthcare sectors.