❓ Mrs Roberts raises concerns about confusion and uncertainty for oncology patients due to the transfer of services from Royal Perth Hospital to Fiona Stanley Hospital. The Minister responds by outlining the transition process, communication efforts, and future access to services at Midland Public Hospital.
AnsweredQoN 3817Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware of the confused messages that Oncology patients are receiving from both Royal Perth Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital due to the transfer of the Oncology services from Royal Perth to Fiona Stanley? (2) Will the Minister advise why some patients are being told that they need to contact Fiona Stanley for their treatment to only be referred back to Royal Perth hospital? (3) Will the Minister tell me when cancer patients can expect certainty in their treatment and no longer have to guess where there treatment is going to take place? (4) Is the Minister aware that the transfer of oncology from Royal Perth Hospital to Fiona Stanley Hospital is worrying many cancer patients? (5) Will cancer patients living in my electorate be able to transfer to Midland Hospital in 2016, and if so, what will the process and the criteria be?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 April 2015
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
33 days
(1) As part of the commissioning of Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), medical oncology services at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) have transitioned to FSH, which is the cancer centre for the South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS). In line with this, the care of existing patients was transitioned to FSH, with a small number of patients electing to receive ongoing treatment at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH).
There has been extensive communication with affected patients including one-on-one communication with their clinicians; individual letters; and information brochures and posters in waiting areas. Additionally, FSH provided a letter to all patients confirming that their care had been transferred.
Patients continue to have surgical procedures for cancer at RPH.
All newly diagnosed patients are now being referred for cancer services based on their postcode of residence.
(2-3) All medical oncology services previously provided at RPH were transitioned to FSH during January and February 2015. An interim care arrangement is in place for select patients to receive their radiation oncology treatment at RPH up until a third Linear Accelerator becomes operational at FSH in mid-2015.
(4) I appreciate that for cancer patients who commenced treatment at RPH, the transfer of care to FSH (or SCGH) may be unsettling. Staff continue to support patients through this transition process on a one-on-one basis. Patients can be reassured that their care team will ensure effective continuity of care and they will continue to have access to a high quality service. Patient safety continues to be our priority.
(5) Cancer patients in the Midland area will be able to access chemotherapy services at the Midland Public Hospital (MPH). To access services at MPH, patients will be under the overarching governance of a State Cancer Service (SCGH or FSH) and referred to MPH for chemotherapy.
There has been extensive communication with affected patients including one-on-one communication with their clinicians; individual letters; and information brochures and posters in waiting areas. Additionally, FSH provided a letter to all patients confirming that their care had been transferred.
Patients continue to have surgical procedures for cancer at RPH.
All newly diagnosed patients are now being referred for cancer services based on their postcode of residence.
(2-3) All medical oncology services previously provided at RPH were transitioned to FSH during January and February 2015. An interim care arrangement is in place for select patients to receive their radiation oncology treatment at RPH up until a third Linear Accelerator becomes operational at FSH in mid-2015.
(4) I appreciate that for cancer patients who commenced treatment at RPH, the transfer of care to FSH (or SCGH) may be unsettling. Staff continue to support patients through this transition process on a one-on-one basis. Patients can be reassured that their care team will ensure effective continuity of care and they will continue to have access to a high quality service. Patient safety continues to be our priority.
(5) Cancer patients in the Midland area will be able to access chemotherapy services at the Midland Public Hospital (MPH). To access services at MPH, patients will be under the overarching governance of a State Cancer Service (SCGH or FSH) and referred to MPH for chemotherapy.
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