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You are here: RCP Programs/Services »   Your First Appointment

YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
General Information
 

Scheduling Your Clinic Appointments  

Treatment appointments at the RCP are made in advance. The date and time of your next appointment and any necessary requisitions for tests that may be required before your next visit will be given to you when you are here or mailed at a later date. 
 
IF YOU ARE A NEW PATIENT:

Please ensure that you arrive 60 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.
 
Your first visit may take several hours, so be sure not to make any other appointments for this day. 
 
You will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire called the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). This is a tool used by your health care team to help identify and treat symptoms that you may be experiencing.  Click here to see the pamphlet for ESAS.


Items You Should Bring

  • All your medications in their containers
  • Your Ontario Health Insurance card
If you need oxygen, make sure you have enough for a six- to eight-hour stay.
 
Having a friend or family member with you is an excellent idea.
 
Transportation Assistance
If you live in Northern Ontario and have traveled more than 100 kilometers to receive treatment, you are eligible for a Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG). 
 
You can also contact the Canadian Cancer Society Unit in your area for more travel assistance information.
 
Accommodation
If you live more than 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the Centre and are able to look after your own activities of daily living, you may be able to stay in the Daffodil Terrace Lodge while you are preparing for and/or receiving treatment.  Please call the Lodge at 1-800-465-6343 to book a bed in advance. 
 
Parking
  • Short term, metered parking is available at the front of the Cancer Centre at a cost of $1.00 per hour.
  • Longer term, gated parking is available at the southeast parking lot at a cost of $4.00 upon exit.
  • Handicap permit gated parking is located on the rooftop of the Cancer Centre at a cost of $4.00 upon exit.
Registration
When you arrive at the Centre for your first visit, please go to the Reception Desk. One of the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) volunteers will help you start the registration process. A registration/booking clerk will review your insurance card, personal and health information with you. Because you may need additional tests or specific treatments while in our care, you will also be asked to sign a consent form.
 
Lab
There is a lab for blood collection in the RCP. It is
open from 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday to Friday. The RCP and lab are closed on legal holidays. Your
lab work will be done 3.0 hours before your clinic or chemotherapy appointment if you live outside the Sudbury area. If you live within the Sudbury area, we will ask you to come for your lab work the day before your appointment. 

Your chemotherapy treatment will be scheduled on a day other than your clinic appointment.
Clinics

After registration, a CCS volunteer will take your weight. You will be called into the examining room. You will meet the primary nurse and oncologist (cancer doctor) who are your medical team each time you come to the cancer program. Your first appointment will be at least one hour. You may also have tests and/or procedures done.

The oncologist will review your family doctor’s medical reports. He or she will explain more about your illness and talk with you about what treatment, if any, is necessary. The RCP offers chemotherapy, radiation therapy and supportive care services. Remember, if something is not clear or you have concerns, please ask questions.
 
Also at the initial visit, you may be asked to think about being part of a clinical trial or a research study. Participation in a clinical trial is voluntary.
 
The Patient Library is located next to the entrance to the RCP. One of the CCS volunteers can help you borrow a book or video or help you search the Internet.
Scheduling Your Clinic Appointments

Treatment appointments at the RCP are made in advance. The date and time of your next appointment and any necessary requisitions for tests that may be required before your next visit will be given to you when you are here or mailed at a later date.

Please note: 

  • If you need to re-book your clinic appointment, please call our re-booking hotline at 1 (877) 240-0459.
  • If you need to rebook a chemotherapy appointment, you must call the telephone clerk who will speak with your primary nurse.
  • Your chemotherapy treatment will be scheduled on a day other than your clinic appointment.
Contacting Your Oncologist or Primary Nurse

Your primary nurse will give you instructions about how to contact him or her. Since your nurse is busy seeing other patients each day, a telephone clerk will answer your calls and forward messages to your nurse.

If your call is not urgent, your nurse will call you within 24-48 hours. 

If your situation is urgent during business hours, the telephone clerk will contact your primary nurse immediately. If the situation is urgent and it is not within the RCP’s hours of operation, you can get medical care at your local Emergency Room.
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