Eastern Health Cancer Services Inpatient Wards

Ward staff work in close collaboration with a number of departments to provide our patients with comprehensive and coordinated cancer care.  These include the Day Oncology and Medical Units (DOMUs), outpatient clinics, our dedicated Oncology and Haematology Hospital in the Home (HITH) service, clinical trials and pharmacy.

Patients have access to a range of allied health and supportive care services on the wards including social work, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and palliative care to optimise their quality of life and physical function while living with cancer.

We also liaise closely with a number of external organisations to coordinate patient care in the community including but not limited to the Eastern Palliative Care (EPC) service and the Peter MacCallum radiotherapy satellite service (located at Epworth Eastern).

• Current Medicare card
• Health Care Card and/or concession card
• Private health insurance card
• Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
• List or boxes of the current medications you are taking, including medicines you have bought without a prescription such as vitamins and herbal supplements
• Your glasses, hearing aid(s) and/or mobility aids if needed
• Copy of an Advanced Care Plan or Medical Power of Attorney (if you have one)

Everyone’s experience with anti-cancer treatment is different, but it is not uncommon to have one or more side-effects throughout your treatment.

Common side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• Infection
• Anaemia (low red blood cell counts)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Appetite changes
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Mouth, tongue, and throat problems such as sores and pain when swallowing
• Peripheral neuropathy or other nerve problems such as numbness, tingling and pain
• Skin and nail changes such as dry skin and colour change
• Urine and bladder changes and kidney problems
• Weight changes
• ‘Chemo brain’, which can affect concentration and focus

If you experience significant side effects, please inform your nurse or doctor as a medical review may be required.

Eastern Health Box Hill also provides support for patients receiving cancer treatment with a nurse-led clinic called the Symptom and Urgent Review Clinic (SURC). More information regarding SURC 

Eastern Health Box Hill Cancer Ward 4.1 is open for planned admissions only either direct to the ward, via the emergency department or transferring from another hospital or facility.  We do not have the capacity to accept ‘walk-ins’.