Health News For Champlain
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Pembroke Regional Hospital
Bell Of Hope Rings Loudly As PRH Celebrates Official Opening Of New Chemotherapy Satellite Service
PEMBROKE – Representatives from the Pembroke Regional Hospital and The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre had reason to celebrate Monday as they officially opened the new Systemic Therapy (Chemotherapy) Satellite Service.
The new service which began in late February has treated 45 patients to date and is expected to provide treatment to about 400 local cancer patients a year.
As part of a special ceremony held Monday afternoon a “Bell of Hope” was presented to the clinical team at the satellite clinic for patients to ring in celebration as they finish their last treatment.
“We know that anything that we, as a hospital, can do to make things easier for patients and their loved ones is a step in the right direction" said Pembroke Regional Hospital CEO Pierre Noel.
“We recognize that our patients need this service – a service that enhances access and minimizes travel for those who, due to their illness, are not as able to travel as frequently and as far for their treatment. And while we know that this is an important advancement in local cancer care, we also know that it could be any one of us, our family members, our neighbours, or our friends requiring such a service next.”
Mr. Noel acknowledged the support of partners at The Ottawa Hospital, the Regional Cancer Centre, the PRH Board of Directors, the Hospital’s medical staff and leaders who worked hard to bring this much-needed service to the region.
Dr. Jack Kitts, CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, remarked that this partnership has helped improve access for Ottawa Valley cancer patients to world class care in their own backyard.
Dr. Kitts, a native of the area who was born at the hospital in Pembroke and grew up in the Ottawa Valley, attributed the success of the project to three ingredients – good collaboration and partnerships, government support, and strong leadership in both organizations. He also noted that the two hospitals have a long-standing history of collaborating on important healthcare issues to ensure patients receive world-class care.
Paula Doering, Vice-President of the Regional Cancer Program echoed the same sentiments noting that cancer patients in our region will receive the same standard of care as in Ottawa, cared for by a local healthcare team trained in the care of patients receiving chemotherapy, including nurses, physicians, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
“As a systemic therapy satellite, Pembroke Regional Hospital is part of a Regional Systemic Therapy Program led by The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Program. In working together, the mutual goal is to provide safe, evidence-based care while maximizing use of resources and ensuring that care is centred around patients’ needs including providing care as close to home as possible,” Ms. Doering said.
And before symbolically cutting the ribbon for the new service, Pembroke Regional Hospital Board Chair Barb Schoof said determination to do the “right thing” and bring to fruition a long-term goal of the Hospital was what needed to be celebrated.
“While the devastation that cancer inflicts on so many people can’t always be prevented, we believe that doing the ‘right thing’, that is, bringing Systemic Therapy to our hospital for our patients, was well worth the effort.”
Under the leadership of Dr. Joel Ward, five physicians including Dr. Joan Tyler, Dr. Heather Castillo, Dr. Lomie Coleman, and Dr. Sylvie Cantin, provide support on a rotational basis to this clinic.
Patients are referred to the clinic by an oncologist in Ottawa, thereby improving accessibility of care and decreasing travel time for patients in our community. In addition, Telemedicine is used to access oncologists and other professionals from the Regional Cancer Centre.
The clinic runs Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in dedicated space on the ground floor of the Pembroke Regional Hospital.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Carolyn Levesque, Public Affairs and Communications Coordinator
Pembroke Regional Hospital
(613) 732-3675, ext. 6165 / carolyn.levesque@pemreghos.org
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