Cancer care review continues

Another step in the process of reviewing cancer services for western Nova Scotia takes place this week.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority says an engagement session will be held on June 13 in Yarmouth as part of the ongoing review of cancer services in the area being undertaken by the health authority and its Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program.

The review of cancer services got underway last fall and is expected to be completed this summer.

One major issue being looked at is the possibility, feasibility and sustainability of having radiation therapy available at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital by installing a linear accelerator here.

Proponents of installing the equipment say radiation therapy based in Yarmouth could serve western Nova Scotia and diminish the need for cancer patients to have this treatment done in Halifax – sometimes over an extended period – that brings with it an emotional, financial and physical toll on cancer patients.

As part of NSHA’s review thus far, 943 Nova Scotians have completed surveys and 24 people from Yarmouth participated in two focus groups.

“We were very pleased with the interest and thoughtful responses we received from the community,” said Dr. Drew Bethune, medical director of NSHA’s Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program, in a media release issued earlier this week. “The information we learned from the survey and focus groups will be shared during the upcoming engagement session.”

On June 13, a full-day, facilitated in-camera discussion with 15 stakeholders, including three patient advisers and cancer health professionals from Yarmouth and Halifax, will take place in Yarmouth.

“They will listen to and discuss information collected and shared through presentations, including summarized results from focus groups and surveys, as well as demographic information and cancer data,” the release read.

The review underway also includes:

• A study of recent cancer statistics to determine the potential number of patients in southwestern Nova Scotia who would benefit from radiation therapy at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital.

• Reaching out to other provinces for information and expertise.

• Researching cost estimates to design and build physical space (bunker), and to purchase and maintain equipment should a decision be made to do so.

• Determining the size, makeup and budget for a clinical team needed to operate a radiation therapy service;

• Considering other cancer priorities and needs across the province and the trade-offs that would be necessary to add radiation therapy services in Yarmouth.

The review is also looking at methods of delivery of other cancer services as well.