Southern Highlands Private Hospital Cancer & Day Infusion Centre
Southern Highlands Cancer and Day Infusion Centre is a leading oncology day care facility located at Southern Highlands Private Hospital, ensuring easy access for the whole community of the Southern Highlands.
The nature and level of our care goes far beyond chemotherapy. Because every cancer diagnosis is different and personal, our compassionate, highly competent staff treat all our patients as unique individuals.
Southern Highlands Cancer Centre provides cancer services to anyone in the Southern Highlands community either as privately insured patients or uninsured (public) patients, through an agreement with the Sydney South West Area Health Service (SSWAHS).
The nature of care provided goes beyond purely the administration of chemotherapy. Supportive care and education is a top priority to all recently diagnosed cancer patients or those simply requiring additional information throughout their illness. Patients, family members and carers are treated as individuals in a highly personal, compassionate and caring manner.
The Cancer and Day Infusion Centre
The modern new and spacious unit involves an increase in oncology recliner chairs to 7; oncology procedure rooms with 2 new beds; 3 dedicated consulting rooms; an interview room; the services of a dispensary; and access to cancer information resources. There is also room for family and friends to accompany patients in a bright and relaxed atmosphere with the availability of watching television, listening to music, or their own discman/MP3 player.
The Centre is also fortunate to have Pet Therapy dogs visit daily. Pet therapy sessions at the hospital are a great way to help patients feel happy. Handlers and their dogs make short visits to with patients to help relieve stress, depression, and anxiety. Pet therapy is known for lifting spirits and lowering blood pressure when patients interact with the dog.
Treatment
The Centre is a Day Unit primarily providing the administration of chemotherapy and operates from Monday to Friday. It also caters for the administration of other day only treatments including but not limited to:-
- Bi-phosphonate infusions
- Targeted therapies
- Monoclonal and biological therapies
- Portacath and PICC line management and education
- Intravesical BCG treatment
- Venesection
- Blood & blood product transfusions
Support Services
The Centre provides patients, not only with consultation services with a Medical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, and highly specialised and qualified nursing staff, but provides support through other support services including a Cancer Care Navigator, McGrath breast care nurse, social worker, dietitian, counsellor, meditation and lymphoedema professionals palliative care.
Cancer Council Information Centre
Incorporated within the Centre is the Cancer Council Information Centre which aims to provide literature, answer questions, helpline contacts and offers time out to talk to a trained volunteer who can guide patients, family members, carers and friends to helpful resources. No appointment is required and no fee is charged. Volunteers are available from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
New Services offered to patients
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A wig library which, apart from wigs, also offers access to scarfs, turbans, fancy wraps, special fashion hats and bandanas to cover hair loss with flair and confidence.
- Cancer Support Group
Interested?
Please contact
Zoe (Cancer Care Navigator - 4862 9494) or Bob (Social Worker - 0419 596 964)
Research & Cancer Trials
Southern Highlands Cancer Centre actively participates in Clinical Trials and Research under the direction of the Medical Oncologist and associates. We are currently conducting clinical trials with the Australian / New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group and a pharmaceutical company.
Southern Highlands Patient Transport Service
Cancer patients from the Southern Highlands who require transport to the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre for treatment or to see a doctor or specialist, can access the Southern Highlands Patient Transport Service.
Carers, family and friends visiting patients at the Camden Hospital Palliative Care Unit are also welcome if seating is available.
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Operated completely by volunteers, the service runs daily, picking up patients and their carers at set locations in the Highlands and returning passengers following treatment. All these locations have shelter available and are within easy reach of public parking.
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The bus can collect patients who are booked to travel from the designated stops at Moss Vale, Bowral, Mittagong, Braemar and Bargo from 9.15am every weekday.
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Passengers are invited to make a $5 donation per day towards the cost of petrol and servicing.
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Bookings are made either by telephoning the Cancer Council Southern Region office in Wollongong on 4223 0200 or by speaking with the staff at the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre.
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The Southern Highlands General and Practical Support Service (GAPS), which commenced operating in the Southern Highlands in early 2011, is now able to help where patients need car transport between their home and the bus pickup location. Please note that the bus is staffed by volunteers; there is no medical equipment or medical staff on board. To contact GAPS please call 0428 681 926 or email shgaps@nswcc.org.au
- Most important: If you are using the service, please inform the nursing staff at the centre so that they can schedule your treatment to coincide with the arrival of the bus.
Can Assist
The Cancer Assistance Network is a registered grass roots charity which has been delivering financial support since the early 1960s, to people with a cancer diagnosis and who live in rural/ regional NSW.
Can Assist Head Office is in Sydney, however the Branches, such as ours, Can Assist Southern Highlands, is totally responsible for raising all funds to meet the needs of members of our local community, who are experiencing hardship as a result of a cancer diagnosis. We offer a practical service in the form of financial assistance. Assistance from Can Assist is not means tested.
A cancer diagnosis can mean an unexpected increase in expenses and a reduced or complete loss of income. For people living outside major cities, this burden is often compounded by the distances needed to travel to receive adequate treatment or care
In some cases, people will not seek treatment because the cost of medication, travel &, accommodation is too great.
Can Assist SH provides financial support to those who are currently receiving treatment for cancer:
- Fuel vouchers for travel for treatment
- Accommodation costs if a patient requires overnight stays to receive treatment
- Out of pocket expenses for cancer medications
- Rental of specialised equipment
- Palliative or end of life care (in hospital or at home)
Can Assist Southern Highlands has over 120 members, several who actively assist in fund raising activities. All funds received are from donations and an occasional grant. There are no paid employees in the Can Assist Southern Highlands Branch.
We are willing to help at any time, just call us.
Can Assist Southern Highlands Contact Details:
Can Assist SH Patient Liaison Officer:
Email: patientliaison@canassistsh.com.au
Phone: 0474 647 506
Referral information for GP’s
To request Referral information please email screception.shp@ramsayhealth.com.au
Contact Us
Southern Highlands Cancer & Day Infusion Centre
Southern Highlands Private Hospital
93 - 95 Bowral Street, Bowral NSW 2576
02 4862 9470