For patients | Information on cancer treatment and care

Being diagnosed with cancer can be extremely stressful. 

We understand this and we want you to know that our team is here to support you in every aspect of your cancer care and treatment. We welcome you to ask any questions on your mind. Our caring and expert team is here to help.

At your first appointment you may not remember to ask everything you would like to. If there is any extra information you need, please feel free to speak to us.

Patient journey to cancer treatment

First specialist appointment

This meeting is where you and your support people meet with a Harbour Cancer specialist (Consultant Oncologist or Haematologist) to consider cancer treatment goals and treatment options. From this discussion, your specialist will recommend a treatment plan. A cost estimate will be provided to you following this appointment.

Here are some questions you may wish to ask at your consultation.

Cost estimate

You will receive a detailed cost estimate for the treatment plan options that the specialist has discussed with you, including anticipated associated costs for procedures or investigations associated with the treatment. Should you decide to proceed, you will be scheduled for treatment orientation.

For people with health insurance cover, we provide you with the information you will need for submitting to your insurer.

Nurse orientation

This appointment is scheduled prior to your first treatment (sometimes on the day of treatment). This is an opportunity to understand the treatment in detail, going over what you can expect to experience in the day-stay treatment room and between cycles of treatment. Our nurse will also share information about the resources available to you, both within Harbour Cancer & Wellness and from other cancer support providers in the community.

Day-stay treatment

There are many different treatment regimens delivered in our day-stay facility of varying durations. We provide food and beverages to you and your support person, and we have a comfortable ‘family zone’ where your support person can make a hot drink, read a book or use their laptop.*

*non-patient access to our facility currently requires prior permission from the nurse manager or specialist.

Support for the whole person

Our philosophy is integrated care. We have a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in supporting people during and after their cancer treatment. You will be offered a complementary half-hour assessment with an Oncology Physiotherapist in our Wellness Centre, along with a voucher for a free massage with the Massage Therapist.

We do this because there is strong evidence for the benefits of physical rehabilitation, massage, dietary input and counselling support, in improving outcomes and resilience while in treatment and in survivorship beyond treatment.

From the wellness assessment appointment, you will know what you can access at our wellness centre and develop a holistic treatment plan.

Follow-up appointments

Your specialist will see you on a regular basis throughout your treatment to review you and to make any adjustments to your treatment plan. We also support tele-health appointments for you and your family/whanau to participate in your appointment with your specialist to overcome any barriers caused by physical distance or the need to isolate, for example, due to Covid.

Ongoing support

A Harbour Cancer centre nurse is available to assist and support you throughout your treatment by phone during weekdays and we have a designated specialist on-call for anything urgent seven days a week.