Medical Oncology

Our Medical Oncology team provides a range of services to care for people affected by cancer and to look after the needs of their families and carers. We work in partnership with various teams including surgeons and radiation oncologists to provide the highest standard of care.

We have a number of outpatient clinics, an inpatient ward, as well as 'day only' areas for people coming to hospital for day therapy (e.g. chemotherapy). 

Services 

Chemotherapy is a collective term used to describe drugs that are toxic to cells, and can assist with reducing or eliminating cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is used with the intention of: 

• curing or slowing the progress of cancer 

• helping to reduce painful or unwanted side effects 

• increasing the effectiveness of other therapies such as radiation 

The type of chemotherapy recommended to you will depend upon the: 

• type of tumour/cancer 

• size of tumour 

• location of tumour 

• spread of tumour 

Chemotherapy may be given in many forms, including: 

• as a tablet or capsule 

• intravenously into a vein or artery 

• injected into the abdomen 

• injected into the central nervous system (Lumbar puncture) 

If you are having chemotherapy, you will have access to a range of expert health professionals including doctors, nurses, care coordinators, social workers, pharmacists, dietitians, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.  

These staff can answer any questions you have about your treatment. 

How to access this service 

To access this service, your GP or medical practitioner will need to send a referral letter to the hospital. If there is a waiting list, you will receive a confirmation letter and be advised on what to do next. If there is no waiting list, you will receive an appointment booking letter or we will contact you to arrange a suitable time for your appointment.