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Darling Downs Surgical Oncology

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Toowoomba, QLD
Darling Downs Surgical Oncology

Darling Downs Surgical Oncology provides specialist breast cancer, melanoma, skin cancer and surgical care in Toowoomba.

Led by Dr Peter O'Donohue and Cheryl Barneveld, with a focus on expert, compassionate, patient-centred care.

19/05/2026

One year ago today, Darling Downs Surgical Oncology opened its doors.

What began as a vision for a more connected, patient-centred approach to surgical oncology has grown into something we are incredibly proud of.

Over the past 12 months, we’ve had the privilege of caring for patients across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, building meaningful relationships, expanding services, and continuing to challenge ourselves to think differently about how cancer care should feel and function.

There have been long days, enormous learning curves, and countless hours behind the scenes, but through it all, our focus has remained the same:
creating more thoughtful, connected, and supportive care for patients navigating uncertain moments.

To every patient, referrer, nurse, allied health provider, hospital team member, and supporter who has trusted and supported DDSO over the past year, thank you.

And this is only the beginning.

The next chapter is approaching, with the upcoming launch of Darling Downs Diagnostic Breast Clinic and a new model of connected regional breast care.

Built differently. Designed for what’s next.

Thank you - Pete and Cheryl.

18/05/2026

Something new is coming to Toowoomba.

A different kind of breast clinic, created for patients experiencing breast symptoms, changes, discomfort or concerns.

Darling Downs Diagnostic Breast Clinic has been thoughtfully designed to feel calmer, more personal and more connected. Our focus is helping patients move from concern to resolution faster and with more support, privacy and care.

Opening 1 June at St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital.

Follow https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586420077926 for more information about the clinic, the experience and the new pathway coming to Toowoomba.

www.dddbc.com.au

15/05/2026

Today, we received a referral for an elderly patient who underwent breast imaging in February and biopsy confirmed breast cancer in March, yet by May this patient still had no clear treatment pathway or follow-up plan.

Her GP was concerned enough to seek another opinion.

Within hours of receiving the referral, our team contacted the patient directly and arranged review for next week.

Cancer care should not leave patients sitting in uncertainty months after diagnosis.

Timely communication, coordinated pathways, and clear next steps are not optional extras in healthcare, they are fundamental to good patient care.

Patients should always feel empowered to seek a second opinion or explore alternative care pathways if something does not feel right.

At Darling Downs Surgical Oncology and Darling Downs Diagnostic Breast Clinic, we believe healthcare systems should feel connected, responsive, and patient-centred from the very beginning.

A more connected model of regional breast care is coming. How care is designed shapes the patient experience.

12/05/2026

Today, on International Nurses Day, we want to recognise and thank the incredible nurses who support our patients every single day.

To our breast care nurses, surgical nurses, oncology nurses, ward nurses, and the entire St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital nursing team - thank you for the compassion, reassurance, advocacy, and clinical excellence you provide to patients and families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

In cancer care especially, nurses are so often the calm presence patients remember most.

The quiet reassurance before surgery.
The phone call checking in.
The guidance through uncertainty.
The kindness shown in moments that matter.

At DDSO and DDDBC, we are incredibly grateful to work alongside nursing teams who consistently deliver thoughtful, patient-centred care with professionalism and heart.

Your work changes patient experiences every day, and our community is stronger because of you.

Happy International Nurses Day.

04/05/2026

How can cancer care feel simpler and more supported?

In regional healthcare, we’re fortunate to have highly skilled clinicians and strong services available locally.

The real opportunity lies in how care is brought together.

Clearer pathways.
Better coordination.
A more supported experience from the very beginning.

This is something I’ve been thinking about deeply, and something we’re actively building at Darling Downs Diagnostic Breast Clinic and Darling Downs Surgical Oncology.

When care feels simpler, patients feel more confident in what comes next.

How care is designed defines the standard of patient experience within our clinics. More on this soon ☕

30/04/2026

This is why care matters.

Behind every diagnosis is a person, a parent, a partner, or a family. When something doesn’t feel right, patients shouldn’t have to navigate unclear pathways, delays, or fragmented care to find answers.

At DDSO, we believe care should start differently.

That’s why we’re building a more direct, connected way into breast care, where patients can access early clinical assessment, coordinated diagnostics, and subspecialist input from the very beginning.

A model designed to reduce uncertainty.
To bring clarity sooner.
And, to support patients when it matters most.

This is care, reimagined.
This is DDSO.
Explore a more connected approach to care 🌿

22/04/2026

Education sits at the centre of everything we do at Darling Downs Surgical Oncology.

From registrars and junior doctors, through to GPs and the broader medical community, we are committed to sharing knowledge, building capability, and strengthening cancer care across the Darling Downs.

Recently, Dr O’Donohue led a GP Education Evening at St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital, focusing on the latest approaches to breast and skin cancer care, providing practical insights to support earlier diagnosis, clearer referral pathways, and improved patient outcomes.

Dr O’Donohue’s commitment to education extends into everyday clinical practice, ensuring that the next generation of doctors is equipped to deliver safe, thoughtful, and high-quality care.

High standards in medicine matter. They shape outcomes, guide decision-making, and ultimately define the care our patients receive.

Subspecialist practice carries a responsibility not only to treat, but to teach, guide, and lead with clarity, professionalism, and purpose.

We’re proud to contribute to a model of care that is:

✔ Collaborative
✔ Evidence-based
✔ Transparent
✔ And built around patients

Independent by design. Focused on patients. Committed to doing things differently 🌿

11/04/2026

Toowoomba deserves better access to breast care.

Introducing Darling Downs Diagnostic Breast Clinic, a new model designed for women with breast concerns who need answers quickly.

Too often, patients are left waiting, navigating multiple providers, and unsure what happens next.

We’ve changed that.

✔ Rapid access appointments
✔ No referral required
✔ One coordinated location for assessment, imaging, and next steps
✔ Direct pathway to subspecialist breast surgery at St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital

No unnecessary delays.
No fragmented care.
No uncertainty.

Just clear, timely, and coordinated care, from first concern through to diagnosis and treatment.

As part of this new service, we are seeking a Patient Care Coordinator to help deliver a more thoughtful, seamless patient experience.

If you, or someone you know is suited to this role, please visit https://www.seek.com.au/jobs?advertiserid=63514781&jobId=91449343&type=standard or contact Cheryl, Clinic Director at [email protected].

Launching soon 🌿

06/04/2026

Subspecialist cancer care, without the distance

At DDSO, we’re proud to support breast cancer and melanoma patients across regional communities through telehealth consultations and digital care pathways, reducing the need for unnecessary travel while ensuring timely access to subspecialist care.

Patients from across, and outside the region, residing as far as Moree in the South, Charleville in the West, Kingaroy in the North, and Brisbae in the East, are choosing to access care with Dr O’Donohue, where appropriate, through a more flexible and connected model.

Telehealth and digital care allows:
🌿 Early specialist input without travel
🌿 Review of imaging and results remotely
🌿Clear surgical planning before coming to Toowoomba
🌿 Fewer trips, less disruption, and more convenience

When surgery is required, care is coordinated locally at St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital, with access to onsite diagnostics, haematology, oncology, pathology and support services.

Cheryl, our Clinical Director, brings extensive experience in digital health systems and clinical software integration, enabling a highly coordinated model of care with streamlined referral intake, rapid triage, real-time information flow, and efficient multidisciplinary coordination.

This model supports timely, well-structured patient pathways that differentiate DDSO in both access and delivery.

Referrals welcome | Telehealth available for regional patients

02/04/2026

Easter can look different for everyone

Whether you’re celebrating, resting, or navigating a health journey, we’re thinking of you this Easter.

Wishing our patients and community peace, strength, and moments of calm 🌿

29/03/2026

Implant vs your own tissue - Why reconstruction planning matters

If you’re facing breast cancer surgery, reconstruction is often discussed early in your care planning, not after.

There are two main approaches:

Implant-based reconstruction
• Uses an implant to recreate breast shape
• Often shorter surgery and recovery
• May be performed immediately or in stages
• Can be influenced by treatments like radiotherapy

Autologous (tissue-based) reconstruction
• Uses your own tissue (commonly from the abdomen)
• Longer, more complex surgery
• More natural feel and long-term durability
• Requires coordination with specialist plastic surgeons

Why will Dr O’Donohue discuss these approaches with patients?
Reconstruction preference helps guide:
• The type of surgery performed
• Whether reconstruction is immediate or delayed
• How care is coordinated
• Recovery and long-term outcome

For referrers, early specialist input supports clear planning and timely coordination. For patients, it means your care is designed around you from the very beginning.

Dr O’Donohue is a BreastSurgANZ full-member with oncoplastic breast surgery training, experienced in implant-based reconstruction integrated with cancer surgery.

For patients considering autologous reconstruction, Dr O’Donohue works closely with a trusted network of plastic surgeons to ensure access to all appropriate options.

Referrals welcome | Second opinions supported

Learn more: https://ddso.com.au/patient-blog/f/implant-vs-autologous-breast-reconstruction

Address

Suite 37, 280 North Street
Toowoomba, QLD
4350

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 3pm
Tuesday	9am - 3pm
Wednesday	9am - 3pm
Thursday	9am - 3pm

Telephone

+61746709697

Website

http://www.ddso.com.au/

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