The clinic that helps cancer patients navigate their treatment
The Symptom Urgent Review Clinic (SURC) provides a care pathway for patients who experience complications during cancer treatment. The SURC operates alongside the Northern Sydney Cancer Centre Cancer Helpline and is operated by an experienced medical oncology nurse practitioner who assesses, diagnoses and manages a variety of medical complications that may arise during cancer treatment. The clinic has operated since 2018 and has received continual positive feedback from patients who use the service. Nurse Practitioner Meredith Oatley, who helps run the clinic, said the SURC increases the likelihood of early treatment intervention for patients as well as reducing emergency department (ED) presentations. “In the past patients would present to EDs because there wasn’t an alternative model of care to manage symptoms from cancer treatment,” she said. “The aim of the SURC is to give patients a place to go for assessment of symptoms. “The new model of care has provided a pathway for patients and their carers to navigate their treatment.” Meredith said patients are often referred to the clinic from the cancer helpline. “Patients that call the cancer helpline are triaged and can be referred to the clinic for assessment and management of their symptoms,” she said. “Patients can also self-refer to the clinic by calling the cancer helpline for an appointment.”
Nurse practitioner Meredith Oatley
24 NSLHD 2023 Year in Review
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