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Ambulatory Care FAQ

16/08/2023
What is the role of the Ambulatory Care Unit?

We’ve always provided ambulatory treatments alongside anti-cancer treatments. This enables patients to continue their cancer treatments without interruption. It also ensures that patients spend less time in hospital by attending for treatments that can be delivered in a matter of hours, rather than requiring an overnight stay.

These procedures, interventions and treatments are needed urgently to maintain patients’ health. They enable patients to continue on their treatment pathway, remain at home and maintain their ability to self-manage in the community.

16/08/2023
What is the role of the Patient Support Unit?

Head and neck cancer treatment is intensive. This care often involves a difficult balance between maintaining treatment intensity to fully treat curable cancers, whilst safely managing the complex and severe side effects that can occur. These side effects are known as toxicities.

It’s important to manage toxicities carefully because it can cause damage to the airway, swallowing and speech areas. Our PSU provides timely interventions that help prevent patients from experiencing severe toxicities and needing to be admitted to hospital as inpatients.

16/08/2023
What ambulatory care services are available to patients?
  • Management of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
  • Paracentesis
  • Management of IV access complication including possible extravasations
  • Replacement of electrolytes
  • Treatment of deranged electrolytes
  • Blood transfusions/iron transfusions
  • Management of Cancer Associated Thrombus (CAT)
  • Immunotherapy Toxicities Service
  • Nasogastric Tube (NGT) insertion and tube training
  • Percutaneous Gastrostomy (PEG) care and training
  • Advice on nutrition and prescription of nutritional supplements
  • Speech and language assessment of speech and swallowing
  • Management of tracheostomy and laryngectomy stoma
  • Symptom management e.g. set-up of syringe driver for uncontrolled vomiting and/or pain
16/08/2023
Does Ambulatory Care provide any Allied Health Professional Reviews?

The reviews available from Allied Health Professionals through Ambulatory Care include:
 

  • Physiotherapy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Dietician
  • Clinical Psychology
16/08/2023
How is patient experience and feedback monitored?

Patient experience and feedback is received via the CIVICA electronic patient feedback system. This system is accessed by patients on their own mobile devices or the Ambulatory Care iPad, which has been implemented to support patients to provide feedback regarding their experience.