Help for Cancer Patients

A new system for guiding and informing cancer patients in Nova Scotia will help them and their professionals deal with the disease.

The patient navigation system, announced today by Health Minister Jamie Muir and Cancer Care Nova Scotia, will also speed up the the processing time for patient information.

Patient navigation provides the supports that people need from the time they''re told they have cancer, right through treatment and follow-up, said Mr. Muir.

"Cancer patients around the province told us they''re satisfied with the level of medical treatment they receive at centres, but want more timely diagnosis and say they suffer from a lack of information and support,” he said. “Patient navigation will give them and their care-providers information, and in many cases, someone to turn to when they need help."

Patient navigation will reflect the unique needs of each health district, but will encompass the following core services:

• A “navigator,” a person who will guide cancer patients and their families through their cancer journey from the time of diagnosis;

• Support for family physicians by creating a place to call for appointment information, clinical reference or updates on patients;

• Ongoing education for cancer professionals to help them keep up-to-date on what''s new in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Patient information available across the province will include:

• A booklet for patients at the time of diagnosis, explaining what to expect;

• A “patient passport” for people to carry with them and record prescriptions, tests and outcomes. This passport will also help co-ordinate care among professionals and is where patients can note important facts related to their care.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia will work with cancer centres for faster delivery of specialists'' reports to referring physicians. The goal is delivery within five days of completion, and within 48 hours once the Health Department’s new information-technology system is in place.

"Patients spoke loudly and clearly," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner of Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "They told us there were times during their cancer journey they felt lost. Cancer Care Nova Scotia is here to make the cancer journey more centred on the needs of the patient, and today''s announcement is key to doing that.”

Dr. Padmos thanked cancer patients, survivors and families for helping develop patient navigation. "Without their willingness to share their personal and often painful stories, we wouldn''t be effective in improving the cancer system for the next patient who comes along," he said.

Mr. Muir said these initiatives, and several others, will be launched in pilot form in three districts (yet to be decided) over the next six months.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, started in 1998, is a Health Department program mandated to co-ordinate, evaluate and strengthen the cancer system in Nova Scotia. It works with stakeholders to bring about patient-centred change. Its ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families, communities and the health-care system.

Department of Health 902-424-3731 E-mail: [email protected]

Susan MacLeod Cancer Care Nova Scotia 902-473-2932 Cell: 902-456-1390 E-mail: [email protected]