Central Coast Cancer Centre Radiation Oncology Service Information for patients and carers All Enquiries: (02) 4320 9888 Fax: (02) 4320 9870
Specialist Appointment Information Date: Time: Location: Central Coast Cancer Centre, Gosford Hospital Cancer Day Unit, Wyong District Hospital Radiation Oncologist Central Coast Cancer Centre Phone: (02) 4320 9888 Fax: (02) 4320 9870 Mail: PO Box 361, Gosford NSW 2250 2
Contents Specialist Appointment Information 2 Welcome 4 General Information 5 Radiation Oncologists 7 Cancer Care Coordinators 9 Radiation oncology Treatment Team 12 Allied Health Supportive Care 12 Cancer Centre Volunteers & Information Centre 13 Carer retreat and information 14 Transport, Parking & Contact details 14 Central Coast Cancer Centre Map 15 3
Welcome The Central Coast Cancer Centre is located at Gosford Hospital and is the first publicly funded Radiation Oncology service on the Central Coast. Set in a peaceful and relaxing environment, Central Coast patients can access high quality, modern radiotherapy treatments without needing to travel away from home. The Cancer Centre prides itself on its multidisciplinary team of Medical Specialists, Nurses, Care Coordinators, Allied health practitioners and Administrative support ensuring a supportive and patient centred approach to cancer care. An advanced Oncology information system manages patient information, appointments and ensures referring Doctors and allied health practitioners are kept informed of their patient s progress. Medicare bulk billing and on-site patient parking is available for patients to reduce anxiety and stress during treatment. Radiation Oncology services extend to Wyong Hospital where outpatient consultation and follow-up appointments are provided at the Cancer Day Unit. Inpatient consultations are also provided in the Wyong Hospital wards. 4
General Information There are a number of stages to Radiotherapy treatment and the CCCC aims to make this process as easy as possible for you, your family and carers. Consult and Consent Planning Treatment Treatment Review Initial consultation with Radiation Oncologists Once an appointment has been requested, one of our staff will contact you to confirm the date, time and location of your appointment. If you live closer to Wyong, you may be able to attend clinic at Wyong instead of at Gosford. Please ensure you bring any relevant scans and reports to your initial appointment. If your specialist recommends radiotherapy as part of your treatment, then you will be asked to attend a radiotherapy planning (simulation) session. Your Radiation Oncologist will explain exactly what to expect at this session as it varies for different sites of the body. Radiotherapy Planning The planning appointment takes between 30 and 60 minutes and you are welcome to invite a carer or friend to accompany you. Our Radiation Therapist will perform a CT scan and our Nursing staff will discuss age any radiotherapy related side affects and how to manage them during your treatment. You will be given 5
the dates and times of the entire list of appointments at this time. After the planning appointment our team creates an individual treatment plan for each patient. This may take up to two weeks to ensure that treatment side effects are minimised. Radiotherapy treatment Radiotherapy treatments are usually daily with no treatments on weekends or public holidays. The machines are serviced on alternate Thursdays and most patients will not be treated on these days. Appointment lists are personalised to avoid confusion. We will try to give you your preferred times, but may need you to be flexible in finding a suitable time. Staff may need to change your times if there are delays or other interruptions. If you or your carer are working please inform us so that we can minimise disruptions to your work. Each treatment takes approximately 30 minutes including waiting times. Radiotherapy is painless and our Radiation Oncologist & Radiation Therapists will explain what to expect during treatment. Radiotherapy treatment reviews The Radiation Oncologist s see each patient weekly to review progress through treatment. These appointments are made to avoid lengthy waits and appear as Weekly Dr review on the appointment lists. In between weekly treatment reviews patients can inform the Radiation Therapists or Nurses of any concerns. 6
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CCCC Radiation Oncologists A/Prof Michael Back (Director) MBBS, FRANZCR, GradDipPsyOnc, MBA Specialties: Neuro-oncology Email: Michael.Back@health.nsw.gov.au Dr Puma Sundaresan (Deputy Director) BSc (Hons), MBBS, FRANZCR Specialties: Head & Neck, Neuro-oncology, Skin, Gastrointestinal & Sarcoma Email:Purnima.Sundaresan@health.nsw.gov.au Dr Roland Alvandi MBBS, FRANZCR, FAChPM Specialties: Lung & Palliative Radiotherapy Email: Roland.Yeghiaian-Alvandi@health.nsw.gov.au Dr Thomas Eade MBBS, FRANZCR Specialties: Uro-oncology Email: Thomas.Eade@health.nsw.gov.au 8
Dr Fiona Hegi-Johnson BSc Med (Hons), MBBS (Hons), FRANZCR Specialties: Breast, Gynae-oncology, Haematology and Lung Email: Fiona.Hegi-Johnson@health.nsw.gov.au A/Prof Andrew Kneebone MBBS, FRANZCR Specialties: Uro-oncology and Gastrointestinal. Email: Andrew.Kneebone@health.nsw.gov.au Dr Mark Stevens BSc Med, MBBS, MMed (Pain Mgt), FRANZCR Specialties: Gynae-oncology & Palliative Radiotherapy Email: mjstevens@ausdoctors.net Dr Apsara Windsor MBBS, FRANZCR Specialties: Breast, Gastrointestinal, Haematology & Wyong consultations Email: Apsara.Windsor@health.nsw.gov.au 9
Cancer Nurse Coordinators Our team of specialised Cancer Nurse Coordinators are a central point for coordination of your care to help with: Coordination of your treatment appointments Information about cancer, treatments and services available. Communication between GP s, specialist s and allied health professionals. Access to home care, community nursing, counselling & financial support services. Cancer Care Coordinator contact details are as follows. Apheresis/Stem cell Coordinator (02) 4320 2688 Breast & Gynaecological Coordinator (02) 4320 9825 Gastrointestinal Coordinator (02) 4320 9823 Head & Neck and Lung Coordinator (02) 4320 9824 Haematology Coordinator (02) 4320 5406 Neuro-Oncology & Uro-Oncology (02) 4320 9822 Coordinator 10
Radiation Oncology Treatment Team Radiation Therapists Our team of Radiation Therapists liaise with the Radiation Oncologists and Medical Physicists to ensure safe and accurate radiotherapy treatment. Radiation Therapists plan and deliver your daily treatments and will provide you will regular information as you progress through treatment. Radiation Oncology Nurses Our nursing team consist of highly qualified oncology nurses who regularly review patients and help manage radiation side effects. The nurses assist with skin care, blood tests medications and allied health referrals. The nursing team provide treatment related information and support for patients, carers and families. Access to any of our supportive care services can be made by visiting reception or asking our staff to arrange a referral. Allied Health & Supportive Care Social Work Our dedicated social worker provides patients, carers & families assistance with psychosocial needs or referrals to home help and support services. Services include counseling, emotional support, financial, travel and accommodation assistance. 11
Clinical Psychology CCCC has a dedicated psychologist to assist patients, carers & families to minimise anxiety, depression and emotional turmoil associated with a cancer diagnosis. This is a free service and forms a crucial part of the supportive care service. Dietician CCCC offers a dietician service to regularly review patients. The service is free of charge and helps by: Assessing nutritional needs and advise on appropriate dietary choices to optimise nutritional status. Assisting with treatment side effects which may alter a patients dietary intake. Speech Pathology Our speech pathologist provides specialised treatments for speech and swallowing dysfunction associated with cancer or its treatment. They are experienced assessing and managing oral symptoms for patients having head & neck radiation treatments. Other Allied Healthcare specialists Referrals to other allied health services can be made through CCCC including. Physiotherapy services Occupational Therapy services Lymphoedema management services 12
Cancer Centre Volunteers We have a team of volunteers to support patients and carers visiting the centre. Volunteers wear red vests and provide a listening ear or make tea and coffee while patients wait for their appointments. The volunteers help guide patients and carers through the hospital for appointments outside of the Cancer Centre. Cancer Council Information Centre The Central Coast Cancer Centre has a Cancer Council information centre located in the main entry foyer. Trained volunteers will be available to assist you select from a wide range of freely available information booklets. The information centre also has internet access and phone numbers to external support services. 13
Carer retreat and information Just a short stroll from the CCCC is the Carer Retreat and Information. It is a place for carers to access a quiet space for reflection and relaxation while waiting for the patient having treatment. Carers can use the business facilities (mobile phone chargers, telephone, fax, computer with free internet access) or obtain information to support your caring role, relax and chat. Children are welcome. Telephone: 4320 5556 Transport and Parking Driving Central Coast Cancer Centre has 26 dedicated patient car parks. Car parking costs $2.30 per day when a validated parking is permit is displayed. See reception or our volunteers for your permit. Train Central Coast Cancer Centre is conveniently located close to Gosford train station with a regular shuttle service to the hospital. Buses Regular buses and shuttles operate both inside and immediately outside of Gosford Hospital grounds. Transport Services Several transport providers are affiliated with the Central Coast Cancer Centre. Our administration and support staff will assist you in arranging suitable transport for all appointments. 14
Central Coast Cancer Centre Gosford Hospital Corner of Holden & Ward Streets Gosford