Calvary Health Care

We have specialist surgeons who operate across a range of cancers, including:

• Breast/Endocrine Surgery

• Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery

• Endoscopy/Colonoscopy

• Gastroenterology

• Gynaecology

• Ophthalmology

• Oral & Maxillary Surgery

• Orthopaedic Surgery

• Upper GI Surgery

• Urology

Our state-of-the-art $4.75million Connery Centre has 18 day oncology chairs, and three treatment rooms specifically designed and equipped to deliver chemotherapy, day haematology and other oncology treatments, which can be used for patients requiring isolation and treatment concurrently.

There is also a clinical trials unit directly supported with treatment rooms and consulting suites, a centralised nursing station, and ten consulting rooms.

Chemotherapy and other medical treatments vary from cancer to cancer and patient to patient, so your treatment will be personalised by your oncologist to best suit your needs. Treatment times also vary from 1/2 hour to several hours.

Cold cap therapy is also available. Designed to reduce hair loss while patients are undergoing chemotherapy treatment, cold cap therapy can be tailored to meet the needs of individual patients, taking into account their health, hair type, drug type and treatment levels.

Treating cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, our Haematologist is available to guide you through your treatment options.

Specialised radiation oncologists are onsite, providing best practice treatments and advanced techniques.

South Australia’s first and only private cancer genetics clinic is located at Calvary Central Districts Hospital.

The clinic provides assessment of inherited risk, genetic counselling and, if appropriate, genetic testing as well as personalised screening advice and cancer risk management.

Restore program

Massage is offered to patients in the chemotherapy suite, three times a week.

One-day workshops are held by Adelaide Oncology and Haematology throughout the year, covering supportive care services and topics that our patients have highlighted as being vital to managing their disease, treatment, recovery and life with cancer.

The workshops ensure patients and their family access to accurate and appropriate information on the following topics:

• Psychological Care: Psychology, Relaxation & Meditation, Spirituality

• Physical Care; Nutrition and Cancer, Importance of exercise, Restorative therapies – massage, reflexology, acupuncture

• Practical Information; Financial and Estate planning, Navigating Centrelink, Community Resources

In addition, the workshops allow patients an informal opportunity to share their experiences with others over coffee/tea or lunch.

Counselling/social work

Appointments can be made by speaking with your treating specialist or nursing staff.

Rehabilitation

Calvary Rehabilitation Hospital at Walkerville offers a variety of oncology reconditioning programs. Recent research on exercise during cancer treatment suggests that physical activity can help to reduce the severity of some treatment side effects including fatigue, anaemia (low red blood cell count), increased body weight and muscle mass deterioration. There is also emerging evidence that exercise during your chemotherapy treatment can assist with chemotherapy completion rates and potentially improve outcomes in regards to the likelihood of cancer returning.

Calvary Rehabilitation Hospital also offers two oncology reconditioning programs;

1. The Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Program is designed to rehabilitate women overcoming breast cancer. The sessions are conducted by a team of health professionals including occupational therapy, nursing, physiotherapy, medical dietetics, psychology and pharmacy. It is a 9 week program.

2. The Reconditioning Oncology Program is an exercise, behavioural change , social support and medication It is an 8 week program.

Referral to Calvary Rehabilitation Hospital is by General Practitioner, specialists, health care providers or other hospitals between 8am and 5pm. Our physiotherapist will co-ordinate patients’ programs and help with setting achievable goals.

The Mary Potter Northern Supportive Care Unit (Grote Ward) was established in 2012 through the generosity of a bequest from the Mary Potter Foundation.

The unit provides care for patients with progressive, life-limiting disease. Supportive care encompasses physical, social, psychological and spiritual care for patients and their family. It aims at minimising the impact of the progressive illness so that patients may have the maximum function and comfort possible, within the limits of their illness.

The unit supports patients with:

• the control of symptoms

• respite

• terminal care

To ensure a seamless transfer between home or hospital, our dedicated staff work closely with the Northern Palliative Care Service, and provide referral to a specialist unit if required.

The unit provides comfortable facilities for both patients and family members. Family members may stay overnight and also utilise the family room, which caters for younger children. Meals are available from Cee Dee’s Cafe. All rooms are equipped with ensuites and a private courtyard to encourage independence and wellbeing during a challenging time.

Our chapel is open 24 hours a day for prayer or quiet contemplation.

How to access this service

• Please speak to your GP if you or a family member require admission

• 24/7

• 08 8250 4111