Symptom and Urgent Review Clinic (SURC)

SURC provides patients and their support person with support and advice over the phone or video enabled link. Face to face assessment and treatment is provided when required.

The SURC model of care has been created to: 

• Provide consistent education to patient and their support person prior to the commencement, throughout and 3 months post treatment.
• Provide a point of contact where patients and their support person could access advice and support throughout treatment cycles.
• Refer patients to relevant supportive care services.
• Reduce Emergency Department presentations and lengthy hospital admissions.

SURC is provided for patients throughout and 3 months post their treatment.

• Patients who are receiving haematology and oncology treatment at Box Hill Day Oncology and Medical Unit, plus their support person.
• Patients who are receiving oncology treatment at the Maroondah Hospital or Yarra Ranges Health Day Oncology and Medical Units, plus their support person.

If you are concerned about any of the following:

• A temperature of 38 degrees or greater
• Diarrhoea/constipation
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Difficulty passing urine
• New/uncontrolled/persistent pain
• Skin rash
• Mouth ulcers
• Acid reflux/indigestion
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Issues with your central venous catheter
• Any other symptoms or concerns you may have

Patients are required to contact SURC via phone before presenting to the clinic- as SURC is not able to manage walk-ins. Depending on the patient’s concern, the SURC nurse will then offer one or more of the following:

• Advice over the phone regarding how to manage or improve symptoms at home
• Provide a visual assessment via video-enabled call
• Advice to come into SURC for a nurse and/or doctor review
• Advice to follow up with their GP
• Advice to present to their closest Emergency department