Day Oncology

There is no cost for treatment, only for discharge medications and maybe for parking options.

Patient appointment times are allocated between 8:30am and 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, according to clinical need.

We do try to accommodate appointment requests as much as possible, however, due to the many complicated treatment regimens and the large numbers of patients attending the unit, we may not be able to change the appointment time that has been allocated to you.

We ask for your understanding, and that you come to your allocated appointment time.

The first floor of the BRICC (Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre) building, off the Sturt Street entrance.

Please report to the receptionist on the first floor. They will direct you to the waiting areas.

Each time you come for your treatment, please let the receptionist know that you have arrived.  They will direct you either to the clinic waiting room for your Oncologist/ Haematologist appointment, or to the Day Oncology Unit waiting area.

Your Nurse will greet you and take you into the treatment area.

Once you have been weighed, you will be seated on a specially-designed recliner chair to allow you to be as comfortable as possible during treatment.

After checking your blood test results, the Nurse will ask you some questions about any medical problems you have, and particularly any side effects of the treatment you are receiving.

Your Nurse will then check your pulse rate and blood pressure, and insert an intravenous line. Saline will be administered through the line until the chemotherapy is ready.

Treatment length will vary according to your individual treatment regime.

Treatment can cause a lot of anxiety, particularly the first one, so it is good to have someone with you. It also gives you another set of ears regarding instructions about what to do after leaving the Day Oncology Unit.

Report to the Day Oncology receptionist to collect your next appointment.

Go to pharmacy to collect your discharge medications and instructions.

Post Treatment Care

Each person experiences chemotherapy differently, both physically and emotionally. Many will also experience side effects from chemotherapy differently, particularly as different chemotherapy drugs cause different side effects.

Fortunately, as the science of cancer treatment has advanced, so has the science of managing treatment side effects. Whatever you experience, remember there is no relationship between how the chemotherapy makes you feel and whether you derive benefit from it.

Side effect reaction times are also very individual. Some people will have a lot of side effects, others will have none or very few side effects.  They may occur on the same day of treatment, or a few days post treatment.

• Continue to be active.
• Maintain a well-balanced diet and adequate sleep. Be prepared to have a short “nana nap “each day if required.
• Avoid continually talking about your cancer. Put a time limit on any discussions/ questions with friends and family. There is more to you than your cancer.
• Take help when it is offered.
• Be careful when you are in the sun. Wear a hat with a wide brim. Use sunscreen with SPF 50 on any exposed skin.

You are encouraged to organise your own transport to and from the Day Oncology Unit for each treatment.

The BRICC has very limited transport assistance available and is only available for patients if they have no other options.

Transport may be organised through your local councils/ shires.

Parking Availability

• Via the hospital car park - accessed from Mair Street
• Costs $4 for the first hour and $2 for every hour after, up to $16 a day
• Street parking - do a Google search for 'parking in Ballarat' for cost options and parking restrictions

The BRICC has a patient drop off point at the Sturt Street entrance, with wheelchairs available for use.

Taxis are available out the front of the Sturt Street entrance of the BRICC building.

Staff and volunteers are able to arrange a taxi booking for you if there are no taxi’s available.

There is also a payphone situated inside the Sturt Street entrance, at the BRICC reception area.