Patient Information
Patient Information
The doctors at Ballarat Oncology & Haematology services provide specialist medical care for patients with cancer or blood disorders and non-cancer related conditions in the Ballarat and Grampians region. Outreach clinics are held in Stawell and Horsham fortnightly and Melton once a month. Teleconference appointments can also be arranged by contacting the office for urgent on the day referrals and for those patients unable to travel to Ballarat.
Many people find it helpful to take with them a member of their family or a close friend to their appointments. Appointments are required for all consultations and we endeavour to run on time. If you cannot keep your appointment please contact us as soon as possible to reschedule the appointment.
Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services encourages patients to attend their initial consultation in Ballarat. Please bring any x-rays and a current medication list (including tablets and inhalers) to your appointment. Off street parking is available on the premises.Treatments and reviews can be undertaken at clinics in Ballarat, Horsham and Stawell and Clinical Reviews at Melton. If your oncologist is absent for educational or annual leave purposes you may be reviewed by another oncologist from Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Service or by a qualified Visiting Specialist Oncologist.
Prof George Kannourakis and Dr Prashanth Prithviraj will be working as a collaborative team therefore patients may be seen by any member of the medical team especially during their treatment phase. If a patient has a desire to be seen by a particular doctor this may be requested when bookings are made. The primary oncologist will still be responsible in conjunction with you to decide on any major changes to treatment or management.
For urgent referrals and patient’s that are unable to travel to Ballarat from rural outlying area’s, a Teleconference service is available and can be booked and co-ordinated by contacting the Office/Practice Manager.
Our Objectives
To provide proactive holistic care for patients and their families by:
- The promotion of participation in all health care decisions
- The provision of information and education
- The early referral to allied health workers and services
- Providing a resource for medical practitioners or allied health workers
To maintain the highest standards of medical oncology practice by:
- Utilising evidence based practice and treatment
- Participating in the conduct of national and international collaborative clinical research
- Ensuring professional development through membership of Clinical associations, working groups and conference attendance.
Our Commitment
To provide proactive holistic care for patients and their families and to provide the highest standard of medical oncology practice.
Contact Us
All patients are encouraged to contact Ballarat Oncology and Haematology Services via the practice during business hours 9am to 5.30pm on 5339 8000 Monday – Thursday or 9-5.00pm on a Friday.
If after hours contact is required patients are encouraged to call St John of God Hospital on 5320 2111 and ask for the Oncology duty doctor.
Whats Happening Now
Investigation
Once an Oncologist at Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services has had a consultation with you, investigations or tests may be ordered. The tests you have already undergone and the type of disease being investigated will determine the type or number of tests required. Each test will be explained to you by the treating doctor. Common tests requested by Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services may include:
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- Scans eg CT Scan, Bone Scan, MRI or PET Scan
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy
Diagnosis & Treatment
The results of your tests will be forwarded to the Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services doctors. The result will provide the doctors with more information about illness and enable them to formulate an individual care pathway for the patient and depending on some results additional tests may be required.
Once an accurate diagnosis has been formulated the doctors at Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services will discuss treatment options with you and family members. The treatment will be determined by various factors including the type, stage and location of the disease and treatment will be tailored to suit the individual’s needs.Common treatment procedures for patients who have cancer include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- A combination of Chemotherapy & Radiotherapy
- Medication (such as immunotherapy or hormone therapy)
- Palliative Care (pain & symptom control)
- Targeted biological therapy
- Scalp Cooling during treatment for suitable patients
At Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services it is not uncommon for other doctor’s to be involved in a patients treatment. Additionally patients may be referred to other health care workers during or after treatment to ensure optimal health outcomes are achieved. Depending on the type, stage and location of the disease a patient may be asked to participate in clinical trials which are based at the Ballarat practice.
Chemotherapy for patients who have cancer
Chemotherapy is the use of medications (commonly known as cytotoxics) to treat cancer by destroying or slowing the growth of cancer cells. The dose, frequency, duration and administration of chemotherapy may vary according to the type of chemotherapy being prescribed and the type of disease being treated. Chemotherapy may consist of a single medication or a combination of cytotoxics. A course of chemotherapy is referred to as a cycle.
Specialist oncology nurses administer chemotherapy and will be available to discuss individual chemotherapy care or concerns. Chemotherapy can be administered at Ballarat, Horsham and Stawell depending on the geographical location the patient usually resides.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is the use of radiation to treat cancer by destroying or slowing the growth of cancer cells. The dose and frequency of radiation will be determined by a specialised doctor called a Radiation Oncologist. Radiotherapy is usually given over a number of weeks at Ballarat Austin Radiation Oncology Centre (BAROC). BAROC is located next to St John of God Hospital at 101 Drummond Street North, Ballarat.
Treatment & Therapy
Prior to treatments being ordered investigations may be required and patients will be notified of the investigations needed by either the doctor or by the office staff at Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services. It is routine for all patients to be reviewed after treatments have concluded and on a regular basis. All follow up appointments or investigations will be discussed with you. If you have any concerns about appointments or investigations required please call Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services.
Palliative Care
Palliative Care is an integral part of providing good care for patients with incurable cancer. Although Professor Kannourakis and Dr Sycamnias are qualified to provide such care, at times a referral may be made to the Palliative Care Team or a Palliative Care Physician. The referral is to facilitate the delivery of Palliative Care services with a special emphasis to assist the ongoing management at home.
Fees
Fees payable to Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services will be discussed with each individual patient prior to the initial consultation and are subject to change when changes are made by Medicare.
All public or private patients who are treated as inpatients at Ballarat Day Procedure Centre and St John of God Hospital Ballarat will have their accounts and claims sent directly to Medicare and their health fund by Ballarat Oncology and Haematology Services.
All public patients who are treated as inpatients at Wimmera Health Care Group (Horsham) or Stawell Regional Health will have their accounts sent directly to the treating hospital by Ballarat Oncology and Haematology Services.
All private patients who are treated as inpatients at Wimmera Health Care Group (Horsham) or Stawell Regional Health will have their accounts and claims sent directly to Medicare and their health fund by Ballarat Oncology and Haematology Services.
Patients will be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses or gap payments for Review appointments on the day of consultation.
Investigations, hospital discharge medications and pharmacy charges are not covered by the fees charged by Ballarat Oncology & Haematology Services.
Fees can be paid by cash, cheque and EFTPOS