World Cancer Day is on February 4 and in 2023 is encouraging organisations, governments, and individuals worldwide to ‘Close the care gap’. Cancer Council ACT are working in partnership with the Canberra Region Cancer Centre, located on the Canberra Hospital campus, to provide a Hospital Liaison at the centre to support all patients undertaking cancer treatment.
The Cancer Council ACT Hospital Liaison is one of the many cancer support and information services they provide to the Canberra community, working to close the care gap in the ACT. The Hospital Liaison is an important step to providing more accessible information and support to everyone impacted by cancer including identified priority groups. The Hospital Liaison is not just for patients, but family, friends, and carers are welcome to make use of the service.
Cancer Council ACT CEO Verity Hawkins states, “It is great to see how well the Hospital Liaison has been received over its first few sessions. We are seeing this opportunity create more occasions to support those impacted by cancer than we were able to previously. And we are right there, where they are facing the hardest part of their cancer journey, to provide the support and information they need.”
“Cancer Council ACT provide a range of support services and prevention programs that work to assist all Canberrans. We understand the challenges that priority groups face when it comes to cancer, whether it’s in reducing their risk, finding the right information, or accessing the support they need. This Hospital Liaison role is one of many ways we are working to provide equitable services in the ACT.”
Cathy Young, Cancer Services Assistant Director of Nursing at Canberra Health Services said, “It’s fantastic to see the impact this new initiative is having for health care consumers.”
“With so much information available, sometimes it can be overwhelming for our patients, their families and their carers as they navigate their cancer treatment journey. Having the Cancer Council’s Hospital Liaison Officer on-site at Canberra Health Services helps our consumers to better understand the supports Cancer Council has to offer.”
The Cancer Council ACT Hospital Liaison is located at the Canberra Region Cancer Centre, on level 2 in the information bay. Dates and times will vary to accommodate a range of patients attending the clinics and will be signposted onsite.
Alternatively, to make a time to speak to a Cancer Support Coordinator in person in the Cancer Council ACT Deakin office, please phone on (02) 6257 9999 or email at cancer.information@actcancer.org