Team Cancer Fall 2015 Newsletter

Team Cancer
Your Link to Cancer Care in Your Community

FALL 2015

Focus on Patient Experience

Our patients and families in Central East region have a voice

in the design, delivery and evaluation of the cancer care they

receive.

The Central East Regional Cancer Program shares Cancer

Care Ontario's approach to person-centered care which

involves patients as partners in their cancer journey.

Patients and family members are included in our work through

Patient and Family Advisory Groups both at the provincial

level with Cancer Care Ontario and here in our region at the

R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre.

"Our patients and family advisors share valuable insights with

us that help shape our cancer system," explains Tom McHugh,

Regional Vice-President of the Central East Regional Cancer

Program. "These skilled volunteers are the lens through which

we see things more clearly so that we're always evolving to

meet the needs of our patients."

You're Part of the Plan

Person-centered care is at the foundation of Cancer Care Ontario's new Ontario Cancer Plan IV (2015-2019) which incorporates feedback

from patients and families.

It's also a strong focus of a new Central East Regional Cancer Plan being released later this year.

Patients, family members, and primary care providers, were asked to provide feedback to help plan for cancer services in our community

until the year 2019 by completing a short online survey.

Did you know...

During the search for a new Clinical Director of the Regional Cancer Program, DRCC Patient and Family Advisors Elaine Harvey (left) and Judy Froats (right) were invited to meet with preferred candidate Kirsten Burgomaster (centre). Kirsten accepted the role on May 9.

"Our involvement in the selection process for this important position made us feel both valued and honoured," Elaine said. "Our conversation revolved around the promotion of Patient and Family Centred Care, and the influence of Patient and Family Advisors within the DRCC. We talked about why patients need to have the confidence that we are in safe hands, and that our individual experiences are positive."

News and Events

The Central East Regional Thoracic Program recently celebrated its 5th anniversary with an open house for patients and families.

Pictured with John Goodchild (second from left) and Selena Lafonte (far right), two of the program's first patients in Peterborough, are Central East Regional Cancer Program Vice President Tom McHugh (from far left) and surgeons Dr. Herb Marcus, Dr. Shannon Trainor and Dr. John Dickie.

Your Care

Scarborough program provides psychosocial

support for people living

with cancer.