Spotlight Series – Hayley Vasileff
Hayley Vasileff
Lead Pharmacist – Paediatric Haematology and Oncology
Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide
Hayley is the Lead Pharmacist for Paediatric Haematology and Oncology at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in South Australia. She is an active member of many professional organisations, including her ANZCHOG roles as a Board Director, Treasurer, and Chair of the Pharmacy Group. Hayley is currently undertaking a temporary role with SA Pharmacy to provide leadership in the area of regional cancer pharmacy services. This role involves reviewing and supporting pharmacy services for patients who are receiving cancer therapy in regional South Australia to ensure standardised high-quality pharmacy services are being provided to the 15 regional sites.
Hayley has worked as a Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Pharmacist for close to 10 years and appreciates how unique her role is. Her job enables her to work with a specialised multidisciplinary team who are collectively working towards the same goal; better care and outcomes for each child with cancer.
‘It is a rare opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of the children with cancer. By influencing their medication management, we can minimise side effects and maximise their outcomes.’
Hayley explains that Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Pharmacy requires her to provide education for patients as well as their whole family unit. Pharmacists ensure families have a clear understanding of the medication, its purpose, possible side effects and how to manage them. Patients and their families are going through what may be the toughest circumstances they will face. The enormity of the diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming, so it is important to provide them with support during this time.
‘The team at the hospital become an important part of the patient and their family’s support system.’
When asked about what she finds most rewarding about her role, Hayley’s response highlights why those working in Paediatric Oncology are so dedicated.
‘The greatest pleasure of working in Paediatric Oncology is getting to see patients grow up and finish treatment. They may have grown 5 to 6 years in front of your eyes. It’s remarkably rewarding.’
Throughout her career Hayley has been involved in research to improve both patient care and outcomes. She was the Lead Pharmacist for the IntReALL High Risk and Standard Risk relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia studies in Australia and New Zealand. This involved supporting the processes to import the investigational agent, development of the pharmacy manual as well as supporting the development of the national appendix for the trial, which enabled a European trial to be opened at children’s cancer centres in Australia and New Zealand.
‘We have a highly skilled Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Pharmacy community in Australia and New Zealand, with a great deal of excellent research ideas both in service delivery and clinical based. I hope over the coming years there is an increase in research driven by this community.’
Below are the different health professionals and researchers we have shone a light on during September
- ANZCHOG Chair (Professor Nick Gottardo)
- Principal Research Fellow (Natalie Bradford)
- Paediatric Oncologist (Dr Tristan Pettit)
- Clinical Research Nurse (Reg Gayaman)
- Clinical Nurse Consultant (Helen Starosta)
- Consumer (Anne Kay)
- Research Scientist (Dr Raelene Endersby)
- Senior Research Fellow (Dr Jennifer Cohen)
- Psycho-oncology clinician & researcher (Associate Professor Maria McCarthy)
- Social Worker (Tanya Alestalo)
- ANZCHOG Chief Executive Officer (Robyn Strong)
ANZCHOG news:
