The oncology clinic at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital plays a vital role in the lives of cancer patients.

“The role of the oncology clinic is to provide patients with care closer to home and with the expertise of skilled chemotherapy treatment staff within their own community,” says Catherine Racine, manager of emergency and oncology services for Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare. “The chemotherapy clinics try to be comfortable and quiet, providing a relaxing atmosphere while the patient is present.”

Located on the second floor at Huntsville Hospital, the chemotherapy clinic offers six chairs and one bed for patients receiving care. Adjacent to the clinic is a consultation room, and physicians and pharmacists are also on site to provide support.

Prior to Huntsville Hospital making the oncology clinic available, chemotherapy, systemic therapy and other infusions were managed in the emergency department.

“Both (Huntsville Hospital and South Muskoka Memorial Hospital) have consistently experienced an increase in numbers and complexity of patients over the past few years,” said Racine. “They are multi-infusion clinics, delivering not only chemotherapy, but also other adjunctive therapies such as blood products, Remicade, Venofer and supportive care.”

Racine explained that some side effects of chemotherapy treatments include anemia or suppression of a patient’s bone marrow, which makes blood cells. These patients can come in to the clinic to have ongoing blood or blood product transfusions, which are also offered at the chemotherapy unit.

While the two clinics in Huntsville and Bracebridge are similar, there are some differences in drug, infusion or treatment regimes that go on at each site – all related to the physicians that refer to it or bring patients into it.

“They both provide expert care to those requiring systemic therapy,” said Racine. “Nurses are trained in starting IVs, providing systemic therapy, managing chemotherapy drugs and their potential side effects. Many drugs require the patient to be monitored during the infusion and the nurse is trained to recognize and deal with any adverse events. They receive ongoing education from the regional cancer centres, regarding best practice, drug education, and skills related to managing the oncology patients.”

According to Huntsville Hospital’s chemo unit team leader Jody Macpherson, over the years the community has shown strong support for the chemotherapy clinic. Numerous items have been donated to the room including paintings, blood pressure and cardio monitors, a fridge, a water cooler and chairs. On behalf of the Huntsville Silver Ambassadors, Lyle Payne organizes an annual charity car wash, from which a portion of the proceeds are directed to the chemo unit.

“It’s well supported by a lot of people,” said Macpherson. “I think they understand that it’s an important asset to have here. It keeps people from having to travel to say Sudbury, where a family member might have to take a whole day off work. It’s well utilized.”