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Cancer Services

Support Services

We provide a range of services to support patients, families and carers through diagnosis and treatment to survivorship or end-of-life care.

Internal page CoastCanCare

Visit the Cancer Referral Network (Canrefer) website for information on a range of cancers, including:

  • What you need to know about the cancer, and what it is.
  • Who you should see for diagnosis and treatment.
  • What tests you might need.
  • What treatment you might have, and where.

Cancer Care Coordination

Cancer Nurse Co-ordinators are experienced nurses with significant cancer nursing experience and tertiary qualifications, who assist patients and their families in navigating  the hospital and community services that may be required during their treatment. Their role includes:

  • providing information about your disease, treatment and services available to you and your family/carer.
  • providing a link between your GP, specialist and others involved in your care to ensure effective communication.
  • ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of your treatment plan and that your preferences are known to the team formulating that plan
  • helping you to access services such as home care assistance, community nursing, emotional support services and counselling and financial management support.
  • providing advice on pain and symptom management.

For more information contact the Central Coast Cancer Centre on 02 4320 9656.

Carer Retreat

The District’s Carer Retreat is a short walk from the Central Coast Cancer Centre. This is a private, quiet place for carers to relax and re-energise while waiting for patients having treatment.

Guests can obtain information about supporting others, make use of free phone and internet access, mobile phone chargers and computer, or simply relax and chat. Children are welcome.

For more information, please contact the Carer Retreat on 02 4320 5576  or CCLHD-CSUCC@health.nsw.gov.au

Clinical psychology (counselling)

Cancer is often associated with a variety of physical and emotional changes. These changes can affect the person who has cancer, their family and carers.

A clinical psychologist can help you with:

  • techniques for communication, relaxation, meditation and stress management
  • information and coaching about how to cope with diagnosis and treatment
  • depression
  • anxiety disorders (including fear of cancer recurrence, panic attacks, specific phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • adjustment issues (e.g. role transition, grief and loss)
  • assistance with symptom management (e.g. sleep, pain, fatigue, exercise, nausea)
  • survivorship issues (e.g. return to work, fear of cancer recurrence, chronic pain)
  • cognitive changes (e.g. from chemotherapy, radiotherapy, tumour type, stress and anxiety)
  • family and relationship issues
  • self-concept, body image and sexuality
  • end-of-life issues

Anyone who has been impacted by a cancer diagnosis in the past two years can access the service including inpatients, outpatients, family or carers of patients. Referrals can be made through the medical staff, cancer nurse coordinators or nursing staff.

For more information contact 02 4320 9816.

Community Cancer Care Service

The Community Cancer Care Service is a 24 hour, seven days per week phone support service provided by Cancer Nurse Coordinators and oncology nurses to all patients who are currently receiving treatment for their cancer. Treatment may include intravenous chemotherapy, oral chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as well as targeted or immune therapies.

Call this service for advice and reassurance on managing your symptoms.

The Community Cancer Care Service liaises closely with the multidisciplinary team involved in your care including medical oncologists, haematologists, radiation oncologists, cancer nurse coordinators, community nurses, palliative care liaison nurse and allied health professionals.

For more information contact 02 4320 9656.

Nursing

During treatment, patients and their carers may encounter terms such as registered nurse, cancer nurse co-ordinator, clinical nurse specialist and more. Whatever the position title, their goal is the same – to combine scientific knowledge, technical skills and empathy to assist patients, families and carers through cancer treatment.

Our nurses are clinical experts who are highly knowledgeable and skilled in the care of individuals with cancer. They work closely with the medical team to ensure patients, families and carers are supported through the entire cancer journey – from diagnosis and treatment to life after treatment – and understand all aspects of their care. This can include:

  • explaining pathology results
  • explaining individual treatment plans
  • helping to increase the level of knowledge and understanding of cancer.
  • suggesting a variety of strategies to help cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment,
  • advising on ways to prepare for life after cancer
  • providing coaching on living a healthy lifestyle.

For more information contact 02 4320 9656.

Nutrition

Nutritional management is an integral part of patient care. People with cancer who maintain a good nutritional status tolerate treatment better and have a better quality of life than people who lose excessive amounts of weight.

Dietitians can assess and assist patients, their carers and families to manage nutritional needs before, during and after treatment. Services provided include:

  • appropriate nutrition advice to help manage treatment side effects that impact on eating, improve quality of life and optimise the patient’s ability to cope with treatment.
  • information about food safety, appropriate diet texture and nourishing food options, in consultation with a speech pathologist
  • support and management of tube feeding, where appropriate
  • prescribing of oral nutrition supplements.

Referrals to nutrition services can be made through the medical staff, cancer nurse coordinators or nursing staff.

For more information contact 02 4320 3691.

Wig Library

Also known as WigWam, the Wig Library is a free, professional and sensitive service providing the loan of wigs. It includes wig fitting, advice and supply. Wigs may be loaned for as long as needed.

As the WigWam is a volunteer-based service, appointments are essential. Please phone 02 4320 2181 to make an appointment, or leave a message on voicemail clearly stating your name and phone number. A volunteer will return your call and make an appointment.

The Wig Library is located at Gosford Hospital.

WigWam wig library and Cancer services map


View Cancer services Gosford Hospital in a larger map

Social work

Our social workers provide a broad range of services that may assist patients, carers and family members during their active treatment. They are an important part of the treatment team as a cancer diagnosis impacts on many different areas of a  patient’s life.

Social workers can provide assistance during this time of change and adjustment. Services provided by the social work team include:

  • help the patient, carer and their family to navigate the health system provide information and/or referral for community services and supports
  • provide support and referral to counselling services to support patients, families and friends coping with a cancer diagnosis
  • provide carer specific information
  • provide information about support groups
  • provide information on financial and legal services
  • assist with support letters for government agencies.
  • provide information on talking to children about cancer

Referrals to social work can be made through the medical staff, cancer nurse coordinators or nursing staff.

For more information contact 02 4320 2111.

Speech pathology

The speech pathologist will assess the patient and implement appropriate interventions to restore or maintain communication and swallowing skills that may be affected by cancer and its treatments.

Services provided by the speech pathologist include:

  • assessment of swallowing function
  • recommendations for safe and/or comfortable food and fluid consistencies a patient should have (e.g. pureed diet)
  • education about safe swallowing strategies or positioning
  • education about mouth care
  • stoma care and voice prosthesis management in laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy patients
  • assessment and management of communication difficulties in all patients (voice, speech, language) undergoing cancer treatment.

Referrals to speech pathology can be made through the medical staff, cancer care coordinators or nursing staff.

For more information contact 02 4320 3634.

Volunteer services

An award-winning team of volunteers support patients and carers visiting the Central Coast Cancer Centre. They are an invaluable part of the team and an indication of the Cancer Centre’s strong and valued link with the local community.

Volunteers assist by:

  • providing a listening ear
  • making tea and coffee for people waiting for appointments
  • guiding people through the hospital for appointments outside of the Cancer Centre.

For more information contact 02 4320 3450.

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