Our Northern Oncology and Haematology (NOAH) department within the Day Oncology Unit has recently launched a new at-home service for cancer patients – NOAH@Home. 

NOAH@Home provides oncology and haematology patients the opportunity to receive certain chemotherapy or supportive treatments in the comfort of their own homes.

The new service launched on 9 November and has been very well received by patients already. Henry (pictured below) was one of the first patients to utilise this new service and was grateful to be able to receive treatment in comfort.

Kaylene Probst, NOAH@Home Liaison Nurse, explained the innovative service will improve convenience for patients and benefit them in a number of ways.

“The program means patients no longer have to travel for appointments, there will be less stress on family who have to take time off work to bring their loved ones in for treatment, less worry about coming into a hospital during COVID-19, and patients are more relaxed in their homes,” she said.

Our Day Oncology nurses will now be on the road six days a week to administer treatment to patients out in the community. Over the past two months, oncology staff have been working hard behind the scenes to develop the program, purchasing new equipment, including a car, and undertaking additional training from our Hospital in the Home staff.

“We are very excited to be able to offer a program like this, as it enables for a greater use of our nursing skills and gives patients the opportunity to decide where they would prefer to have their treatment,” Kaylene said.

“This past eight weeks has been a whirlwind of activity and hard work on behalf of all those involved, and it’s been a pleasure to be involved and to be able to pull this all together – ready to start a new chapter for Cancer Services and the Day Oncology Unit at Northern Health.”