Concord Haematology at Concord Hospital’s Concord Cancer Centre

Delivering world-class care, locally

Information for our Patients

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Dear Patient…

Welcome to the Haematology Department at Concord Hospital.

Haematology is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the blood.

This may include:

• anaemias(reducedhaemoglobin–theproteininredbloodcellsthatcarriesoxygen)• otherreductionsinbloodcells,includingwhitecells(anti-infectioncells)andplatelets(cellsthatinitiateclotting)

• cancersofthebloodcellsystem,includingLeukaemia,LymphomaandMyeloma• bloodclottingdisorders

You’ve been referred to Concord Haematology for treatment of your blood disorder and I want to assure you that you will receive world-class care, locally. We achieve this through:

• OurteamofHaematologySpecialistsavailableatourClinics/ConsultationRooms,includingaThrombosisClinic

• AdedicatedCancerCareCoordinator• HaematologyAmbulatoryCareUnit(HACU)–foroutpatients• Ward5East–forinpatients• ClinicalResearchUnit–worldleadingbloodcancerresearchandclinicaltrials• OurMulti-DisciplinaryTeammodel(MDT)• SydneySurvivorshipCentre• Educationforpatients,thecommunityanddoctors• ArigorousQualityProgram,assessingallaspectsofpatientcare

ConcordHaematologyoperatesunderConcordCancerCentre,althoughonlyabouthalfofourpatientshaveabloodcancer.TherearenooutofpocketcostsforMedicareeligiblepatients.

Forpatientsdiagnosedwithabloodcancer,thereisnowmorehopethaneverbefore.Inthisneweraofpersonalisedmedicine,ourpatientswithLeukaemia,LymphomaandMyelomaarelivinglongerandbetterlives.Moderntargetedtherapiesareincreasingtheirchancesofcure.Ourdoctorsandnurseswillpartnerwithyoutoprovideyouwiththebesttreatmentpossible,withafocusonqualityacrossallaspectsofyourcare.

Thisleafletprovidesinformationonalltheservicesweprovideandthekeythingsthatyouneedtoknow.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsduringyourappointmentsortreatment,pleasefeelfreetoaskamemberofmystaff.

DrIlonaCunningham Head of Haematology at Concord Hospital

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Haematology Specialists – Clinics/Consultation RoomsOur team of specialists

ThereareeightspecialistHaematologistsatConcordHospital,eachwiththeirownspecificareasofprofessionalexpertiseandexperience:

DrIlonaCunningham DrVivienChen DrJaneEstell

DrRobinGasiorowski AssociateProfessorJudithTrotman

DrEmmaVerner DrNicoleWongDoo

DrAlessandraBianchi

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Appointments

AppointmentswithourteamofspecialistHaematologistsareavailable4daysaweekinourClinicsatConcordHospital,GroundFloorEast.

Within24hoursofreceivingareferralfromaGeneralPractitioner,weassesseachpatient’sconditionandprovideappointments,inorderofmedicalneed.

YourdoctormayhavereferredyoutoaspecificHaematologistorprovidedyouwithageneralreferral.Ifyouwereprovidedwithageneralreferral,youwillbeseenbythefirstavailableHaematologist.

Whilewealwaysdoourbesttoseeyouattheappointedtime,onoccasionanemergencywithanotherpatientmayneedtotakepriority.Inthissituation,weaskforyourpatienceandassureyouthatwewillseeyouasclosetoyourappointmenttimeaspossible.Ifyouareunabletowait,pleaselettheClinicReceptionistknowandanewappointmentcanbescheduled.

Operating Hours

ConcordHaematologyprovidesClinicappointmentswithourSpecialists4daysaweek:

• 8.30amto4.30pm–Mondays,Tuesdays,WednesdaysandFridays Telephone:97675757Fax:97677650

Thrombosis Clinic

AspecialThrombosisClinic,dedicatedtothemanagementofpatientswithbloodclottingissues,isconductedonFridays.

Tests and other treatmentsYoumayneedtohavesomemedicaltestsorothertreatmentswhileyouarebeinglookedafteratConcordHaematology.Theseareconductedatthefollowinglocations:

• Blood tests–gotoBloodCollection,ConcordHospital,MainBuilding,GroundFloor(locatedinthecorridorbetweenthecoffeecartandthelifts–lookoutforthebigredblooddrop).

• X-Rays, Ultrasounds or CT Scans–gotoConcordHospital,MainBuilding,FirstFloor.

• PET Scan or Radiotherapy–ifyourequireaPETScanorRadiotherapy,youwillneedtogotoRoyalPrinceAlfredHospital(RPA),whichislocatedatMissendenRoad,Camperdown.Furtherlocationdetailswillbeprovidedwhenappointmentsaremade. IfyouareaninpatientatConcordHospitalatthetimeyourequirethistestortreatment,wewillarrangepatienttransportforyou.

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Support from a dedicated Cancer Care Coordinator Shouldyoubediagnosedwithabloodcancer,theHaematologyDepartmenthasadedicatedCancerCareCoordinator/ClinicalNurseConsultantwhowillbeinvolvedinallfacetsofyourcare,includingconsultation,treatmentplansandoutcomes.

YourCareCoordinatorwillbeavailabletoguideandassistyouwithyourtreatmentpathway.Thisisyourmainpointofcontactforanyquestionsthatyoumayhaveandthepersonwhowillintroduceyoutopatientservices.YourCoordinatorwillbecontinuallyinvolvedinyourcare,includingschedulingtreatments,bloodtestsandscans.

Ifyouneedtoundergochemotherapytreatment,youwillbeinvitedtoachemotherapyeducationsession,conductedbytheCancerCareCoordinator,beforeyoustartyourtreatment.Thissessionwillprovideinformationandadviceinrelationto:

• whatyouneedtodotopreparefortreatment• travelarrangements• recoverytimeposttreatment• sideeffectsassociatedwithtreatmentandsuggestedmanagementtechniques• diet

YourCareCoordinatorcanalsoreferyoutootherservicesasrequired,suchassocialworkers,psychologists,dietitiansandfinancialassistanceifneeded.

Forpatientsundergoingastemcelltransplant,thededicatedTransplantNursePractitionerwillguideandsupportyouthroughthestemcellharvestingprocessandtransplantjourney.

You can contact the Cancer Care Coordinator/Clinical Nurse Consultant on 9767 5751 or 9767 5000 Page 60250.

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Haematology and Ambulatory Care Unit (HACU)TheHaematologyandAmbulatoryCareUnit(HACU)islocatedatConcordHospital,MainBuilding,GroundFloorEast(neartheClinics/ConsultationRooms).

The aim of HACU is to provide treatment for patients during the day, so they can remain in their own homesandbesupportedbytheirfamilies,withouttheneedtobeadmittedtohospital.HACUprovides16specialisttreatmentareasforHaematologyoutpatients.

YoumayneedtospendtimeinHACUifyourequirechemotherapy,abloodtransfusion,antibodyinfusion,plateletinfusionorrapidironinfusion.

PatientsrequiringbonemarrowbiopsiesorstemcellharvestingarealsotreatedinHACU. Ifyourequireabloodtest,itwillbeconductedinHACUduringyourvisitfortreatment.

HACUnursesspendthetimetogettoknowalltheirpatientsandprovideyouwiththebestlevelofpersonalisedcarepossible.YoualsohaveaccesstoourHaematologySpecialists,asrequired,duringyourvisitfortreatment.

WiththeoverallaimofkeepingpatientsoutofHospitalandprovidingpatientswithtreatmentasanoutpatient,HACUalsofacilitatessupportthatyoumightneedfromarangeofotherhealthcareprofessionals,includingsocialworkers,agedcareassessmentteams,psychologists and dietitians.

PatientsparticipatinginClinicalTrialsthroughConcordHaematology’sClinicalResearchUnit(seepage10),arealsotreatedinHACU,withmedicationsadministeredandmonitoredthere.

ApartfromtreatingHaematologypatients,HACUalsodeliversinfusionsforpatientswithrenal,gastrological,neurologicalorimmuneconditions.

Operating Hours

HACU operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.00pm. IfyouarealreadybeingtreatedthroughHACU,youcantelephoneduringthesehoursforinformationandadvice.YoucanalsocometoHACUforassistanceandadvice,anytimebefore3pm.

Ifyouarenotwellontheweekend,weadviseyoutogotoyourGPorcometotheHospital’sEmergencyDepartment–donotwaituntilHACUopensagainonMonday.

Nurse In Charge Tel:97677893Secretary Tel:97675550

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Ward 5 EastWard5EastislocatedonLevel5ofConcordHospital(MainBuilding).Itprovides24beds,aswellas4HEPAfiltrationrooms,forbothHaematologyandOncologyinpatients.TheHEPAfiltrationroomsprovideadditionalprotectionagainstinfectionforpatientswithsuppressedimmunity,recoveringfromstemcelltransplantsorchemotherapy,throughthecirculationoffiltered,cleanair.

Itisamixedwardforbothmenandwomen,however,patientprivacyispreservedthroughmale-onlyandfemale-onlypatientbays.Ward5Eastalsoprovidesshort-termpalliativecareforpatientstowardstheendoftheirlife,however,mostofthesepatientsarenowcaredforattheHospital’snewPalliativeCareUnit.

As a Haematology patient, you may need to be admitted to Ward 5 East if:• youareundergoingmedicaltreatmentorinvestigations

• youhaveabloodcancerandrequireintensivechemotherapy• youarerecoveringfromstemcellharvestingandtransplantation

Information for patientsWeknowthatspendingtimeinhospitalcanbeadistressingtimeforyouandyourfamily.Pleasebeassuredthatwewilldoeverythingthatwecantomakeyourtimewithusascomfortableandstress-freeaspossible.Wehopethefollowinginformationwillassistyou.

When preparing for your stay in Ward 5 East, please pack the following:

• Comfortable,loosefittingnightgown/pyjamas• Dressinggownandslippers• Underwear• Toiletries–toothbrush,toothpaste,deodorant,soap,shampoo• Clothes–youcangetdressedeverydayifyouprefer,thereisnoneedtostayinyournightgown/pyjamas.Youwillalsoneedclothesforwhenyouaredischarged.

• Readingglasses,books,magazinesorotherentertainmentyouenjoy.Aradiowillbeavailableonyourbedsidebuzzerandtelevisionisavailableforhire.

Duetolimited storage space,pleasedon’tbringtoomanypersonalbelongingswithyou.

Youarefreetobringitemssuchaslaptops,tabletsordigitalmusicdevices,however,thisisat your own risk–whileitemsintheWardaregenerallysecure,wecannotguaranteethis.Forthesamereason,wealsoaskthatyoudon’tbringotherexpensiveitemswithyou,suchasjewellery.

Thefollowingitemsarenot permitted–electricblankets,hotwaterbottles,kettles.Youmaybringathrowrugorfavouriteblanketifyouwish.

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During your stay in Ward 5 East:

• Weencourageyoutoget out of bedregularlyandwalkaround.Thishelpspreventchestinfections,bloodclotsandbedsores.

• Weencourageyoutokeepupwithyourpersonal hygiene(withhelpfromanurseasneeded).Showering,handwashinganddentalhygienehelpminimiseyourriskofinfection(especiallywhenyouhavetubesoracannulainserted)andmovingoutofbedalsohaspositivebenefitsforyourrecovery.

• Youmayneedregularblood testsormayvisitanotherfloorforanX-ray/scan.

• ShouldyourtreatmentprogramrequireaPET Scan or Radiotherapy,wewilltransportyoutoandfromRoyalPrinceAlfredHospitalatCamperdown.

• Thereisatelevision roomjustofftheWardwithavendingmachine,shouldyouwish torestandrelaxawayfromyourbedside.

• Thereisapatient kitchenetteforyoutomakeyourselftea/coffee.Thereisafridgeforyoutoplaceamealthatmaybebroughttoyoubyafamilymemberandamicrowaveforyoutoheatitup.Duetospacelimitations,pleaseensureyouonlyhaveonemealstoredatatimeandensurethatitislabelledwithyourname.

If you need to contact us before you are admitted, you can call the Nurse In Charge on 9767 6530.

If you have any questions or need assistance with anything during your stay, please ask your nurse.

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Information for visitorsWeknowthathavingafamilymemberorfriendinhospitalcanbeastressfultime.ToensurethemedicalteaminWard5Eastcanofferthemthebestpossiblecare,werespectfullyaskvisitorstoassistasfollows:

• Observe the designated Visiting Hours(11.00am–1.30pmand3.00pm–8.00pm).Thisisimportantasitgivespatientstheopportunitytorest.Italsogivesnursestheone-to-onetimenecessarytobestcarefortheirpatients,toupdatecasenotesandproperlyhandovertonursescommencingthenextshift.

Ifyourlovedoneisacutelyunwellorattheendoftheirlife,theywillbemovedtoamoreprivatesideroom.Inthissituation,youmayvisitoutsideofvisitinghours,foraslongasyoulike,andyoumayalsobeabletostayovernight,however,pleasediscussthiswiththeNurseInCharge.PleasebeawarethatthismaybethereasonothervisitorsarenotobservingtheVisitingHours.

• Limit visitorstotwoperpatientatanyonetime.

• Fresh flowers must notbebroughtintoWard5East,astheycanincreasetheriskofinfectionforpatientswithlowimmunity.

• Ifyouhaveaninfection(egcoldorflu),pleasedo not visituntilyouarewell,asmany ofourpatientshavelowimmunity.

• Wash your handswithsoapandwaterwhenyouarriveandagainwhenyouleave. This helps reduce the chance of infection for our patients.

• Youmustwear a gown, mask and gloveswhenvisitingapatientinisolation.Thisisforyourownprotectionandtoreducetheriskofspreadinganyinfectiontoothers.Theseitemsareavailableoutsidethepatient’sroomandmustbewornbeforeentering.

• Youcanbring foodforyourfamilymember/friend,however,pleaseonlybringone meal at a time.Pleasedisposeofanyleftovers,ortakethemawaywithyou,tominimisetheriskofthefoodspoiling.ThereisalsoafridgeintheWardkitchenettewhereyoucanplaceonemeal,labelledwiththepatient’sname.Patientscanheattheirfoodinthemicrowaveprovidedwhentheyarereadytoeatit.

• Pleaseallocate one family member to calltheWardforpatientupdatesandrelayinformationtotherestofthefamily.WhiletheWardnursesarealwayspleasedtoanswercallsfromfamilymembers,areducednumberofphonecallshelpsnursestofocusoncaring for their patients.

• Encourageyourfamilymember/friendtoget out of bedandwalkaround.Thisreducestheriskofchestinfections,bloodclotsandbedsores.

• Encourageyourfamilymember/friendtokeepupwiththeir personal hygiene(withhelpfromanurseasneeded).Showering,handwashinganddentalhygienehelpminimisetheirriskofinfectionandmovingoutofbedalsohaspositivebenefitsfortheirrecovery.

If you have any questions or need further information call the Nurse In Charge on 9767 6530.

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Clinical Research UnitThe Clinical Research UnitatConcordHospital’sDepartmentofHaematologyisoneofthelargest,mostrapidlygrowing,ClinicalTrialsUnitsinAustralia.

Weconductworld-leading,patient-centeredclinicaltrialstoaccessanddevelopinnovativetherapiesforLeukaemia,Lymphoma,Myelomaandotherblooddisorders–cutting-edgeresearchwhichevaluatesthesafetyandbenefitsofnewmedicines.

Clinicaltrialsimproveoutcomesforpatientsandhavegreatlyincreasedthecureratesformanybloodcancersoverrecentyears.Byparticipatinginourworld-leadingclinicaltrials,hundredsofpatientsatConcordHospitalhavebenefitedgreatlyfrommanynewandinnovativetreatments,longbeforetheyarefundedbytheAustralianGovernment.Forthesepatientsandtheirfamilies,participationinourclinicalresearchoffersthemgreaterhopefor acureandabetterqualityoflife.

Itisourreputationforqualityandindependencethathasmadeusinternationalresearchleadersandensureswetrulydeliverworld-classcare,locally.

If you have been diagnosed with a blood cancer, you may be asked to consider participating in one of our clinical trials.

Ifyouchoosetoparticipate,youwillhaveyourownCareCoordinatorwhowillhelpyounavigatethetreatmentprocess,alongwithsupportfromourHaematologySpecialists,ResearchNursesandDataManagers.

Celebrating the positive response of patient Michael van Ewijk (centre) to Ibrutinib tablets, on a clinical trial for his Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma (Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia).

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Donations welcomeTheClinicalResearchUnitisfinanciallyindependentandnotforprofit.Withlittlepublicfunding,werelyheavilyongrants,donationsandlocalfundraisingtofocusontheresearch priorities of our patients.

IfyouwouldliketomakeataxdeductibledonationtowardsbloodcancerresearchatConcordHospitalyoucan:

• Donate by credit card onlineatwww.slhd.nsw.gov.au/concord–clickonthe‘MakeaDonation’button,thenthe‘DonateNow’buttonandchoose‘HaematologyResearch’fromthedropdownmenutoindicatewhereyouwouldlikeyourdonationtogo.

• Send a cheque made out to ‘Haematology Research Fund, Concord Hospital’. Post it toConcordHospital,HaematologyDepartment,HospitalRoad,ConcordNSW2139.

•Considermaking a bequesttowardsourbloodcancerresearchinyourWill.TheeasiestwaytodothisistoaskyoursolicitortoinsertasentenceintoyourWillwhichreads: I give, devise and bequeath the sum of $____ (amount to be written in words) or ____ % of the residue of my estate to Haematology Research at Concord Repatriation General Hospital.ForfurtherinformationonmakingabequestinyourWill,youcancontacttheMarketingDepartmenton9767 6038.

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Our Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT)Our unique Multi Disciplinary Team model delivers exceptional benefits for our patients.

Itisanessentialtoolinthediagnosisandtreatmentofpatientsanddeliversanefficientprocessforquality,documented,multidisciplinarypeerreviewofourpatientswithbloodcancers.

AtConcordHaematologythecoremembersofourMultiDisciplinaryTeamare:• ClinicalandLaboratoryHaematologists• AnatomicalPathologists• Radiologists• RadiationOncologist• ClinicalCareandTransplantCoordinators• ClinicalResearchStaff• AlliedHealthstaff

How our Multi Disciplinary Team works:

• Onaweeklybasis,ourHaematologySpecialistscompleteacomprehensiveSummaryDocumentoneachoftheirpatientswithbloodcancer,includingtheirdiagnosticwork-upand proposed management.

• TheentireMultiDisciplinaryTeammeetseveryThursdaymorning,witheachpatient’scurrentconditionpresentedbythetreatingSpecialist.

• TheTeamreviewsanddiscussestheproposedmanagementofeachpatient.

• TheSummaryDocumentisverifiedandfiled,withacopypostedtothereferringGP.Thisalsobecomespartofthepatient’selectronicmedicalrecord.

• TheentireteamalsoundertakesinpatientWardroundstogetheronThursdaysatapproximately10am.Thismayseemdaunting,withadozenpeoplevisitingyourbedsidetocontinuetheirdiscussionofyourcare,however,itisveryhelpfulforthevariousmembersofthemedicalteam,especiallyfortheHaematologistswhomayneedtocareforyouwhentheyareon-call.Thisbriefweeklyvisitgreatlyassistsourteamtodeliverpersonalised care to each patient.

• TheMultiDisciplinaryTeammodelhasbeenextremelysuccessfulindeliveringqualitypeerreviewforourpatientsandsharedpatientcare.

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To learn more abouttheSurvivorshipProgram,

please call 9767 6354.

Sydney Survivorship CentreTheSydneySurvivorshipCentreprovidesholisticcareandindividualisedsupportforsurvivorsofcancer.ItprovidesanotherMultiDisciplinaryClinicwithaHaematologist,CancerNurse,Dietitian,PsychologistandExercisePhysiologistforpatientsoncetheyhavecompletedtheircancer treatment.

Supportgroups,educationalresources,publicforums,workshopsandclassesarealsoprovidedaspartofthiscomprehensivesupportprogram.

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Education

Inadditiontotreatingbloodcancerpatientsandleadingthewayinclinicalresearch, Concord Haematology also has a strong focus on providing education for our patients and their families.

WearepartoftheUniversityofSydney’sAcademicStaffandprovideeducationforstudents,nursesanddoctorsatalllevels.Anessentialcomponentofoursuccessasaworldleadingacademichospital,istheintegrationofourmedicalandnursingstudentsaspartofthetreatingteam.Forthisreason,studentsarelikelytoapproachyoutotalkaboutyourconditionandexamineyou,aspartoftheirtraining.

Weregularlyprovideeducationalseminars,lecturesandforums,presentedbyspecialists andexpertsintheirrespectivefieldsforthebenefitofourpatients,theirfamiliesandotherclinicalstaff.WehavehostedsuccessfulPatientEducationForumsforLymphoma,MyelomaandWaldenstrom’sMacrogobulinaemia,withpresentationsfromworldleadersinthesebloodcancerson-siteattheConcordMedicalEducationCentre.

Ouraimistoprovideongoingeducationalopportunitiesthroughouttheyearandtoengagewithrelevantbodiesthatsupportourpatientsandourwork.

You can contact the following organisations for information, advice and support:

Leukaemia Foundation ProvidessupportforpatientswithLeukaemia,Lymphoma,Myelomaandrelatedblooddisordersandtheirfamiliesandinvestsinbloodcancerresearch. Tel:1800620420Website:leukaemia.org.au

Myeloma Foundation of Australia Inc Providesuptodateinformationandcaringsupportviatheironcologytrainednurses. Tel:1800693566Website:myeloma.org.au

Lymphoma Australia ProvidessupportforthosetouchedbyLymphoma,raisesawarenessaboutthiscancerandhelps fund research that may lead to a cure. Tel:1800359081Website:lymphoma.org.au

WMozzies FortheWaldenström’sMacroglobulinemiacommunityinAustralia,WMozziesprovidespatientsandcarerswithpracticalsupport,advocacy,discussionforumsandinformation.Website:wmozzies.com/support

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Fees and charges• PatientsatConcordHaematologyarebulk billedthroughMedicare–thereareno out of

pocket costsforMedicareeligiblepatients.• Thereareno gapsfromtheConcordHaematologyteamforPrivateInpatients.PatientswhochoosetousetheirPrivate Health Insurance assist the Hospital and the DepartmentofHaematology,asthefinancialbenefitreceivedisputbackintopatientcare.You will not be sent any invoices for gap fees,exceptontherareoccasionwhenyouneedcarebyaspecialistVisitingMedicalOfficersurgeonoranaesthetistwhilstinHospital.Inthiscircumstanceyouwillbeinformedandyoucanthenelecttochangebacktobeing aPublicpatient.

• Forpatientsrequiringspecialisedmoleculartestingoftheirbonemarrowbiopsy,thismay notbecoveredbyMedicareoryourPrivateHealthInsurance.Ifthisisthecase,youwillbeinformed.

How to find usTheHaematologyClinics/ConsultationRoomsandtheHaematologyandAmbulatoryCareUnit(HACU)arelocatedatConcordHospital,HospitalRoad,ConcordonGroundFloorEastoftheMainBuilding.

EnterthroughtheMainEntranceoftheHospitalandmakeyourwaytowardsthelifts– walkpasttheliftstothecorridorandturnright.

Ward5EastislocatedonLevel5oftheMainBuilding.EnterthroughtheMainEntrance andtaketheliftstoLevel5.

Parking• ThereisapublicCarParkonHospitalRoad,acrosstheroadfromtheHospital (chargesapply).

• Thereisalsotimed,meteredparkingalongHospitalRoad.• Non-metered,timedparkingisalsoavailableonthesidestreetsoffHospitalRoad.

ContactsClinics/Consultation Rooms Tel:97675757Fax:97677650

Cancer Care Coordinator/Clinical Nurse Consultant Tel:97675751.

Haematology and Ambulatory Care Unit (HACU) Tel:97677893

Ward 5 East Tel:97676530

Clinical Research Unit Tel:97676348 Email:CRGHhaem.CRU@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

Sydney Survivorship Centre Tel:97677487

Concord Haematology at Concord Hospital’s Concord Cancer Centre

Delivering world-class care, locally

AVS 75784