Spire Dunedin offers patients Oncology services, in Reading, in their refurbished suite. For those that are affected by cancer it can be a terrible time for both the patient and their family. Here at Spire Dunedin Hospital we have a team of deadicated nurses, and Oncologist consultants who will work their hardest to ease everything for both patient and family.
The modern oncology day unit at Spire Dunedin Hospital administers approximately 2,500 doses of Chemotherapy each year. The unit was refurbished in 2006 and consists of 8 pods that provide a calm and tranquil environment where patients can concentrate on getting better. The pods allow for a private experience, or doors can be opened up to allow patients to chat across the suite.
Promoting wellbeing during chemotherapy
There is a lot you can do to promote a feeling of well-being throughout your treatment:
- A balanced diet is essential; some people prefer to eat small regular meals instead of larger meals, to aid digestion. There may be some dietary restrictions with certain treatments but your nurse will go through these with you. Try to increase your fluid intake, particularly around the time you receive your chemotherapy.
- Some people feel fatigued during treatment, so it is important that you listen to the signs your body gives when it needs to rest. Try to reduce activities for a few days around treatment time until you are used to how you feel during treatment.
- It is not necessary to give up gentle exercise such as walking or any hobbies you enjoy, but try to pace yourself so that you are not placing too many demands on your body. If you feel well enough, you may continue to drive and to work.
- Allowing family and friends to help you takes some of the strain off you and helps them feel involved.
NOTE: Please do not use any health/alternative medicines without discussing these with your consultant/nurse as sometimes these can impact on the chemotherapy drugs you are being given.
Support for patients
Here at Spire Dunedin we pride ourselves on the level of support we are able to offer our patients, from;
- 24 hour emergency contact number for all patients undergoing chemotherapy
- Nurses in the Oncology unit actively respond to patient concerns at every stage of treatment
- Our Oncology Nurse Consultant (ONC) visits patients daiily (Mon-Fri) who are re-admitted for symptom management
- Reading support group for younger and working women "Bosom Buddies" meet monthly at Dunedin Hospital, for support and advice following cancer
- Contact details provided for many other support groups and services