What is the Oncology Outreach Service?

Our service offers trained paediatric oncology nurses to facilitate treatments at home or in a community setting.

They are part of a team of expert Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNCs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS2) who work in rural and metropolitan centres.

How we help

To help minimise the impact of the diagnosis and treatment of the child with cancer we provide services as close to home as possible.

We aim to:

• Support children and their families through their cancer journey in the community
• Maintain the continuum of care from hospital to home
• Provide a direct link from community health care providers to the primary treating team at The Children's Hospital at Westmead
• Facilitate education and training, promoting best practice within the community setting

What is the role of our nurses?

We coordinate care for your child in the community along their individual treatment pathway.

Meeting each child at diagnosis, we ensure families have an understanding of their child's condition and treatment plan and that there is effective communication between the referring Paediatrician, General Practioner (GP) or family doctor, the Oncologists and others involved in supportive shared-care.

We liase with schools and pre-schools, to enable the safe return of your child soon after diagnosis and provide comprehensive education about childhood cancer for teachers, staff and peers if requested. The school is provided with an individualised 'Health Care Plan' and 'School Pack' of information.

The CNC's also support the child and family at a time of relapse or disease progression which may require a more intensive approach. Sadly, if a cure is no longer possible and management becomes palliative we continue to maintain close contact, playing a supportive role.

The Metropolitan Service

If you live in a metropolitan area, meaning in a city or suburbs, we can assist your family with:

• Referral to an available service such as paediatric outreach nurse teams or local hospital staff
• Liasing with local services to assist with supportive care and treatments where possible
• School or preschool visits to facilitate integration
• Home visits to provide various health care treatments in your home, including the administration of chemotherapy for specific treatment regimes
• Education and training if you wish to take on the responsibility of administering specialised treatments to your child
• Consulting the Pain and Palliative Care Service. Bereavement follow-up.

The Rural Service

If you live in a rural area we can assist you with:

• Referral to local health care services, including a paediatrician and local hospital. A case presentation and education will be provided.
• Individual 'Action Plans' for your child and the local centres
• Meeting your local health care team and reintegrating back to school or preschool
• Continuity of care by acting as a link between local services and The Children's Hospital at Westmead
• Phone support for families and local services during business hours
• Consulting the Pain and Palliative Care Service. Bereavement follow-up.

Contact us

Clinical Nurse Consultant

• Metropolitan Outreach

Phone: (02) 9845 0000

Mobile: 0419 691 246

• Rural Outreach

Phone: (02) 9845 0000

Mobile: 0408 965 104

Monday - Friday  8am - 4pm 

• Oncology Treatment Centre

Phone: (02) 9845 2115

Monday - Friday   8am - 4pm

• After hours contact

Please contact Camperdown Ward

Phone: (02) 9845 1123   (02) 9845 1060