Doctor Charles Blair had all but given up on finding a beautiful old home to transform into a modern skin cancer clinic, when Nathan Powell from LJ Hooker presented him with 53 Barolin Street.
“We knew it was the building for us from the moment we stepped inside,” Charles said.
“Medical practices by nature tend to be cold, clinical places. Older houses have a warm, welcoming feeling that you just can’t achieve with a new commercial build. We wanted our patients to feel at home, but finding an historic building that could accommodate state-of-the-art technology, commercial parking and disability access was a big ask.”
The rural generalist surgeon said the Californian bungalow required extensive renovations to turn it into Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic (KSC).
“We were fortunate to have Greg Pershouse handle our designs and planning approvals,” Charles said.
“Our builder, Adam Meech is intuitive and details driven. Nothing is a problem for Adam and his team. With their expert help, the building has exceeded all our expectations. They’ve restored the grand old lady to her former glory.”
The inviting facility, with its art deco inspired interior, is reflective of Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic’s commitment to providing good old-fashioned health care.
“Patient-centred care and good bedside manner are not part of some bygone era; these things still exist,” Charles said.
“The Bundaberg Region is fortunate to have some fantastic general practitioners and specialists, and we work with those people to ensure our patients receive holistic care.”
Charles, who has lived in Bundaberg on and off for most of his adult life, said he and his wife established Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic to help improve melanoma diagnosis and survival rates in regional Queensland.
“In the Wide Bay Burnett Region, one out of every 14 people will be diagnosed with melanoma by the time they turn 85,” he said.
“Prevention and early detection are the best lines of defence against skin cancer, and yet many people don’t get their skin checked regularly. I wanted to establish a medical practice in Bundaberg, dedicated not only to detecting, treating and managing skin cancer, but also to helping raise awareness.”
The father of two young boys said there was a misconception that only older people, who spend a lot of time outdoors, get skin cancer.
“There are many factors that determine a patient’s risk profile,” he said.
“You might be a young, fit tradie or farmer who works outdoors. Maybe you’re a mum with fair, freckly skin. Or you’re a retiree who enjoys a round of golf each week, but you’ve developed a small, persistent scab on your nose that just won’t heal.”
Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic offers spot checks, head-to-toe skin checks and comprehensive mole-mapping, using Artificial Intelligence (Al) assisted technology.
“Our team are highly experienced in all facets of skin cancer medicine. We perform simple and complex skin surgery, and administer topical therapies depending on the type, size and location of the lesion,” Charles said.
“Photodynamic therapy will also be available at KSC from early 2021.”
Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic is at 53 Barolin Street, Bundaberg South. Telephone 07 4150 3023 for appointments. Visit www.ksc.com.au for more information.