Who I Might See On My First Visit

Pasqua Hospital: About Pasqua Hospital

For 90 years, the Pasqua Hospital has served the health care needs of southern Saskatchewan. Formerly called the Grey Nuns Hospital, the Pasqua Hospital continues its tradition of care and community service as an integral part of the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region. The Pasqua Hospital is recognized for provision of quality health care in several specialized areas. Highly qualified physicians and staff, along with advanced diagnostic equipment, have enabled the Pasqua Hospital to stay in the forefront of many programs, such as opthalmology, orthopedics and cancer services.

During 1997-98 many other programs and service areas at the Pasqua Hospital were enhanced. The arrival of the new Spiral CT Scanner and advanced nuclear medicine equipment were landmark occasions that greatly improved the diagnostic capabilities available for District clients. Renovations to areas such as palliative care, as well as the creation of a new ambulatory care area, are helping the Pasqua Hospital continue to provide a high standard of care and service to clients.

Who you might see on your first visit

A cancer care team is made up of many different people, including doctors, nurses, radiation therapists, social workers, volunteers and dietitians. Here are some of the people you might meet on your first visit:

Receptionist

The first person you meet will be the receptionist. When you arrive, you must register with the receptionist before going to your appointment.

Admitting clerk

When you are done at the reception desk, you will see an admitting clerk. The admitting clerk will ask you some basic questions:

• date of birth

• address

• Saskatchewan Health Services card number

• other health insurance coverage

• person to contact and phone number

• treaty number, if applicable

• health care directive(living will)

• family doctor’s name.

This is to make sure that the information we have about you is complete.

You should arrive 30 minutes before your appointment to answer these questions.

On later visits, please let us know if this information has changed. You should also know that we must enter this information about all cancer patients in the Cancer Registry. All the information is kept confidential.

Oncology nurse

Once finished at Admitting, you will be directed to the waiting room. An oncology nurse will meet you and take you to an examining room. Before you see the doctor, your nurse
will ask you important questions about yourself, your family and what has been happening to you. He or she will help you understand the information you are given. Your nurse will also give you a phone number to call if you need help or information once you leave the
Cancer Centre.

Oncologist

Next, the doctor will meet with you. When you are diagnosed with cancer, you are referred to a cancer specialist called an oncologist (on-CALL-o-jist). There are many kinds of oncologists. All of them work closely together. You may be examined by your oncologist at this time. Your oncologist will spend time explaining your cancer and deciding what treatment would be best for you. Other team members and support

Social workers

Social workers in the Psychosocial Oncology department at the Cancer Centre help you and your family adjust to the stress caused by cancer and its treatment. Every patient is
assigned a social worker. Social workers provide counselling on issues such as the effects of an illness on family relationships, financial difficulties, and home management concerns. Your social worker can also tell you about support services for you and your family.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists at the Cancer Centre will help you with your cancer medicines. They help to review and calculate all doses of cancer medicines that have been prescribed for you.
Pharmacists will talk to you about your cancer medicines and give you written information which will help you understand how your medicines work, how to use and store them properly at home, and how to manage any side effects. They are available to answer any questions you may have about the medicines prescribed by your oncologist. Palliative
care professionals These are skilled and thoughtful people who focus on aspects of treatment other than the cure itself, such as controlling pain.

Your family doctor

The Allan Blair Cancer Centre keeps your family doctor updated on your progress. The Cancer Centre sends, on a regular basis, letters to the family doctor reporting on your test results and your progress. If you are experiencing a health concern which is not cancer related (e.g. an injury), please contact your family doctor in these instances.

Volunteers

The Allan Blair Cancer Centre is fortunate to be supported by many volunteers and groups who provide a variety of help and support to patients. They can help you find your way around the Centre or to the hospital for tests. Patient Education Centre A
patient library is available for your use. The library contains books, lists of appropriate websites, pamphlets, brochures, videos and audiotapes for you to borrow. A volunteer will be able to assist you with finding the information you need. As well, a computer is
available for your use at the volunteer desk located beside the Patient Education Centre.

What might take place on your first visit

Your first visit to the Cancer Centre may take 1-2 hours. When you meet the oncologist, he or she will examine you and discuss your symptoms. You may also have some tests such as blood, urine or X-rays. This visit is a consultation or discussion visit. You will
not receive any treatment on your first visit. We suggest you bring a friend or relative with you. It can help to have someone else there to keep you company. He or she can help you remember things you have been told or hear something you might have missed.

The Allan Blair Cancer Centre is an "outpatient" treatment centre, which means patients do not stay overnight in the Cancer Centre. However, for some treatments, you may be admitted to the Pasqua Hospital.