Haematology and Medical Oncology

The Department's Mission is to provide a caring, empathetic, compassionate and supportive environment. Patients receive holistic medical and nursing care which recognises and incorporates the family and significant others in cooperation with services and resources within the Hospital and community.

The most modern and effective therapies used in cancer management are available at Box Hill Hospital.

A range of expertise encompassing the management of all types of malignancies (cancers) is provided with particular expertise in the management of breast and bowel cancer, leukaemia, lymphoma and testicular cancer. The Clinical Haematology and Medical Oncology Department is an integrated division of the Hospital's Australian Centre for Blood Diseases.

These four Divisions include:

• Clinical Haematology/Oncology
• Diagnostic Haematology/Oncology
• Clinical and basic research programs
• Teaching and education

The clinical and basic research programs ensure that patients with blood diseases and cancer receive the latest and most innovative diagnostic evaluation and treatment. The clinical research program focuses on the delivery of new therapies and participates in world-wide trial aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of new experimental treatments.

The basic research program is at the cutting edge of clinical medicine.

The Hospital's Clinical Haematology and Medical Oncology Department is well-staffed with Oncologists, Haematologists and Research Co-ordinators for national and international trials. The Department also trains Registrars for the Royal Australian College of Physicians in Haematology and Medical Oncology. This expertise is complemented by the Hospital support system of professional Allied Health staff. The Oncology Ward and Day Centre are staffed by nurses with a particular expertise and interest in the fields of cancer and palliative care nursing.

The Day Centre specialises in patient and family support, education and the delivery of treatments to people with cancer and blood disorders, including haemochromatosis (excess iron) and polycythaemia rubra vera (too many red blood cells).

Our Palliative Care Nurse can assist with future planning and link you to community palliative care services. Many people with cancer may benefit from palliative care support at different stages of their illness.

Staff  

 

Our Care

The Department's care is diverse. It includes administration of chemotherapy, care of patients receiving peripheral blood stem cell support, radiotherapy, management and assessment of pain control, treatment of oncological emergencies, provision of palliative care for patients and their families, and grief management and support.

Chaplaincy

Chaplains provide pastoral care to patients, their families and staff, assisting us to develop our personal resources.

Dietitian

The Dietitian assists patients and their families to choose a varied and balanced diet that suits their personal food preferences and which also helps obtain the most benefit from cancer treatments.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists have unique skills in the assessment and treatment of a person's function, advising and providing equipment to enhance independence and safety.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists help patients to regain and maintain their physical independence through exercise programs, and the appropriate use of walking and other aids.

Social Work

Social Workers are committed to helping patients and their families maximise the benefits of treatment and care through counselling, grief and bereavement management and advising on practical problems such as financial, legal and day-to-day issues.

Other services available include:

• Podiatry
• Speech Therapy
• Stomal Therapy
• Diabetes Education

Staff will refer individual patients to a service in order to meet their needs. However, if you require a particular service included, or extra to these, please let us know how we can help you further.

For further information contact the Oncology Day Centre on 9895 3586 or 9895 3333 after hours and ask for the Nurse in Charge, Ward 3 West.

 

Cancer Support Group - Box Hill Hospital  (*PDF 93 Kb)