The Urgent Care Unit provides emergency and non-emergency care to oncology and hematology patients. We enhance efficient transition into the hospital by providing accurate triage assessment for all patients who arrive at the unit. Our aim is to deliver the highest standards of technical quality and safety according to the needs of each individual patient. We also aim to provide dignity, privacy and confidentiality for patients and their families.
The unit has a total of five beds and one isolation room and is staffed by four medical professionals in oncology and hematology. We see up to 500 patients per month and co-ordinate our services with other departments within the National Center for Cancer Care and Research, such as pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiation oncology etc.
Our services include:
- Pleural tapping to remove fluid from the area between the chest cavity and the lung lining
- Dressing PEG tubes that are inserted into the stomach through the belly to provide nutrition, fluid and medication
- Balloon pump removal
- Care of central vascular access devices (small tubes placed into a vein to allow substances to be administered directly into the bloodstream)
- Pain management i.e. through medication, nerve blocks etc.
- Management of side effects after chemotherapy such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea etc.
- Management of emergencies such as spinal cord compression, tumor lysis syndrome etc.
- Supportive management
