Cancer Care & Infusion Centre :: Northern Beaches Hospital (2024)

• Bowel and Colorectal
• Breast
• Gastroenterological
• Gynaecological (including Ovarian Cancer)

• Haematological Malignancies - Blood Cancers
• Lung
• Lymphoma, Leukaemia and Myeloma
• Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers

• Pancreatic
• Prostate and Urological, Testicular and Bladder
• Upper-Gastrointestinal

Following your consultation with the oncologist, and with your consent, we’ll create a tailored treatment plan for you. We’ll contact you to arrange a time for your education session and first treatment. The nurse will provide a face-to-face, or telephone education session to discuss the proposed treatment plan. This includes duration, possible side effects, management of symptoms, and contact details.

Before you arrive please check any COVID-19 requirements and if you can bring someone with you. Please don’t bring young children. Drink water and have breakfast beforehand. Normal medications are permitted. Medications as part of your treatment will be discussed with you at the education session.

During treatment our helpful staff are here to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Light refreshments are provided and most patients are usually well enough to drive home. The nursing team, in collaboration with your specialist, are available to discuss any side effects you may experience. There are options to help control any side effects of your treatment and you will be given a phone number for advice between treatment days.

Day infusion services

We provide a calm and relaxing environment for patients to undertake intravenous infusions. Our team of highly-experienced onsite oncology and haematology nurses provide exceptional care and attention. Services include:

• Chemotherapy and immunotherapies treatments
• Blood and blood product transfusions
• Port-a-cath and PICC line management and education
• Targeted therapies
• Immunoglobulin infusions

Medical oncology

Medical oncology is the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Our onsite oncologists, nurses and other experts come together to deliver a cancer care plan that’s right for you, which may include chemotherapy and immunotherapy. If your type of cancer needs surgery, then our oncologists work with our team of surgeons who are experienced in your type of cancer.

Radiation oncology

Radiation oncology - or radiotherapy/radiation therapy - uses high energy x-rays to treat a range of cancers. Your cancer team will talk with you about whether or not you need radiation and when in your treatment plan it should be provided.

We don’t provide radiation oncology onsite at Northern Beaches Hospital. Instead we work with trusted radiation oncology doctors at facilities like Northern Beaches Cancer Centreand Royal North Shore Hospital.

Breast care nurse consultant

Meet the team

We know when people are cared for by a multidisciplinary team, they have better outcomes.

At Northern Beaches Hospital we wrap an experienced cancer care team around you. This includes our oncologists and surgeons plus a breast care nurse, social worker and pharmacist. And access to a dietitian, physiotherapist and lymphoedema expert.

The team works together and runs regular multidisciplinary meetings to keep across all aspects of your treatment so they can provide the best possible care.

Dr Madhawa De Silva

Dr Penny de Lacavalerie

Dr Tom Pennington

Dr Victoria Pechey

Benefits of going private at Northern Beaches Hospital

• Minimal wait times for treatment and/or surgery
• Choose your preferred specialist from our extensive network of experts
• Access to cold cap treatment to reduce hair loss
• Private dining menu

If I need surgery, how much will it cost?

Like many surgeries performed in a private hospital setting there’s usually an out-of-pocket fee. The amount will depend on your private health fund cover and the surgery that’s right for you.

No private health insurance? Option to self-fund

If you don’t have private health insurance, you can choose to self-fund your treatment and benefit from minimal wait times for surgery. Your chosen surgeon will be able to talk to you about this option and provide an estimate of costs.

Cancer Council

Volunteers
Cancer Council volunteers provide support to patients on the ward at Northern Beaches Hospital. Their vital support can help reduce the impact of cancer on you and in our community. You may see Cancer Council volunteers at the hospital. They provide great company and enjoy having a chat over a refreshment.

Resources
You may wish to do a lot of research throughout your journey, which may help you make decisions. Or you may choose to rely only on the information from your medical team. Please know that not all information online is accurate or current. You can access cancer care resources from our patient education and support room. You can also click here for credible, evidence-based information including podcasts from Cancer Council.

Wig library

Not everyone who has cancer will lose their hair, but for those that do, you can borrow wigs from our library. If you’d like to visit the library for a fitting, please make an appointment by calling us on 029105 5090or clickto contact us. We can also provide recommendations for where you can purchase comfortable, natural-looking wigs. We’re here to help.

Find out more about the wig libraryservices here

Download the wig library registration form here

Donate to the Northern Beaches Community Cancer Charity here

Pharmacy

Epic Pharmacy provide cancer care services to our patients. Their team includes clinical pharmacists, dispensary pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians who are experts in cancer care. They work with our doctors, nurses and other health professionals to help manage your medication. The pharmacist will have access to your clinic notes and blood results to ensure that the medication ordered for you is appropriate for your condition.

Epic Pharmacy
Ground floor, Northern Beaches Hospital
Monday to Friday
8.00am to 4.30pm
Call 02 9122 3006

Research and clinical trials

Clinical trials are critical and support research into potential cures, improved treatments and therapies for managing cancer. Northern Beaches Hospital takes part in clinical trials and your doctor will tell you if you’re suitable for one, and discuss the benefits and risks with you.