@Abbydog - I had my surgery in Sydney in a private hospital & whilst my surgeon had his own 'breast care nurse' - we didn't have much interaction - a bit like @romla's experience re paid care. I don't recall her attending any of my meetings with the surgeon ... tho I saw her in the office & she took my details etc. After surgery Sometimes not getting back to me when I left messages/queries. She had measured me up for the 'free Berlei Bra' and the one I received didn't fit. Not sure how she got that wrong! At the time, my 'local' breast care nurse was on indefinite leave & no-one had been appointed to take her place - so I was making all my appointments etc for Rads & Rad Onc etc. But when I saw my Onc a few weeks back & needed CT & Bone Scan appointments, the current Breast Care Nurse took care of all of that - which I am sure got me in earlier than if I'd rung myself.
I think they are trying to get more and more 'McGrath Nurses' around the country - but most would be in the major cities, not so many in rural areas, altho we have heaps of new cases diagnosed every year as well.
