SOUTH WESTERN SYDNEY AREA HEALTH SERVICE
LIVERPOOL HOSPITAL
CANCER THERAPY CENTRE

Rehabilitation Services

There are a number of resources available to patients, families and carers of the Cancer Therapy Centre. Information on these can be found by using the links:

Having access to accurate information about your disease and treatment is important in making decisions and in coping with the many challenges of having cancer can bring.

The Patient Resource Centre is a fully equipped reference library of books, videos, and pamphlets. While the materials on the shelves can not be borrowed the centre includes a the full range of equipment so they can be used at the Cancer Therapy Centre such as TV/Video, cassette and CD Walkman, photocopier and computer for Internet searches. The resource materials are arranged on the shelves under the following topic areas.

Materials in the pamphlet rack are available for you to take. Keep a lookout on the notice boards for information about support groups, education programs or fundraising activities you or your family might like to participate in. The Patient Resource Centre is just to the right off the main foyer of C.T.C

The Cancer Therapy Centre has a range of NSW Cancer Council products such as sunglasses, sunscreens etc. for sale. There is a display cabinet in the foyer showing the range available for purchased. Mail orders for other items can also be placed. Please speak to one of the staff or volunteers for assistance.

The Cancer Therapy Centre stocks the full range of Cancer Council educational booklets. The Understanding Cancer booklets are specifically written for patients and their family or carers to help learn about their type of cancer and ways to cope. The booklets cover a range of different cancers, as well as providing information on patient's rights, diet, emotions, how to relax and sexuality for men and women who have had cancer. Please ask one other staff for a booklets from those listed below or order them directly from the NSW Cancer Council on Ph 9334 1900.

Losing your hair can be one of the distressing side effects of having cancer treatment. The Centre has a wig library available on Tuesday Mornings 9.30-12.30. Volunteers who are professional hairdressers can advise, fit wigs and turbans or hats. You will need to make an appointment if you wish to have a wig fitted. The wig library is next to the nurse's station in the radiotherapy area of CTC.

Wigs are available for loan for 6 months or so, or until your hair grows back, after which they should be returned. At present this loan is free of charge, because of donations from community fund raising groups such as Rotary and the Quota club. Turbans can be purchased for $14 - $20 depending on the style

An appointment for the wig library can be made at the Cancer Therapy Centre reception either in person or by telephone. If you have private health insurance which includes auxiliary cover (glasses, dental, prosthesis etc)

Getting to treatment can be difficult at times. It is the hospital policy it is the responsibility of patients to arrange their own means of getting to treatment driving yourself, coming with friends or family or catching public transport.

The cancer therapy centre has only one driver with one car for transporting patients, as there are over a hundred patients a day using the CTC the transport assistance is very limited.

There are a number of strict criteria that are applied - such as a level of disability that stops you using public transport or driving your self to treatment, a low level of income, and no available friends or family to transport you. Transport assistance is only available for treatment sessions and not doctors appointments or tests.

Aromatherapy can be used to lift the mood or relax the mind and body. Our trained volunteer can give information about many different essential oils used in aromatherapy, and can make a sample to take and try at home. The Aromatherapy Information and Support Session is set up each Wednesday, Morning from 9am, in the Patient Resource Centre.

Combination of oils with a vegetable oil can be used as a liniment for massage. The oils also may be spread throughout a room by a diffuser or humidifier, and inhaled with the steam created. Essential oils are often used in small amounts in a soaking bath or hot tub. Electric or Candle oil burners are a popular way of using aromatherapy oils.

There are a number of volunteers at the Cancer Therapy Centre at Liverpool Hospital, they attend to many tasks such as making tea and coffee for patients or family having treatment, showing new patients round the centre. Some volunteers attend to help with particular support programs, such as the wig library, patient resource centre or aromatherapy sessions.

Volunteers are also great part of public or fundraising events held at the Cancer Centre such as the 5th Anniversary Open day, NSW Cancer Council fundraising events such as Biggest Morning Tea or Daffodil Day.

Some of our volunteers are people who have been touched by cancer themselves or in their family or others find Liverpool Hospital a good place to help out in their local community. Information and application forms to become a volunteer are available from the Volunteer Coordinator, General Managers Unit, and Liverpool Hospital.

© Copyright 2002 - Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, SWSAHS
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Last modified: Tuesday, 8 July 2003