The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre has celebrated another milestone in the Phase 1 Expansion project.
The Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre at RVH opened its doors to
treat patients this week. Last month the imaging, emergency and
respiratory units seamlessly made the transition into their new spaces.
The cancer centre officially opened this week as the first patients
began to receive their treatment in the chemotherapy suite overlooking
Rotary Place and Little Lake. Radiation patients will begin to receive
treatment later in July and Rotary House, the lodge for cancer patients
who travel from out of town for treatment, will open in late July or
early August.
The 75,000 square foot cancer centre features three new radiation
treatment suites, Canada’s first robotic intravenous automation system
for the safe and consistent preparation of chemotherapy treatment (to
begin production in the fall 2012), 34 chemotherapy treatment spaces,
two private chemotherapy rooms and a single isolation room in addition
to a two-storey glass patient waiting area and resource centre with
fireplace.
“Seeing the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre open is a dream
come true for not only myself, but for many of our staff, physicians and
particularly our patients," said Dr. Bryn Pressnail, the centre's
clinical director.
“We will be able to provide patients with a comprehensive treatment
plan that can now be executed here at RVH instead of the patient having
to travel to Toronto for care. This will make an indescribable
difference to residents of Simcoe Muskoka.”
The cancer centre consists of three levels, with Level 1 containing
the radiation suites and the tunnel to Rotary Place. Level 2 has a
patient waiting area and resource centre, 20 examination rooms, an
outpatient lab, counseling rooms and a patient education space. Level 3
contains the chemotherapy suite, a satellite pharmacy area and office
space.
In addition to the opening of the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer
Centre, there are other clinical departments that are still scheduled to
make the move into the Phase 1 Expansion over the remainder of 2012
while renovations continue in the existing facility..
“The safety of our patients and staff is our highest priority, so the
transition of clinical areas will continue in a careful, phased manner
throughout the rest of the summer and into the fall,” said RVH president
and CEO Janice Skot.
