Ambulatory Comprehensive Cancer Service

The Ambulatory Comprehensive Cancer Service (ACCS) provides at-home nursing care to eligible cancer patients instead of them receiving care on a ward at Fiona Stanley Hospital. Patients whose condition and treatment can be managed by this service are referred by their treating team.

Our services include:

• caring for patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplant (where a patient’s stem cells are taken while their disease is in remission, then returned after high dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy)
• caring for patients after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) infusion (an immunotherapy using altered T-cells, a type of immune system cell, to destroy cancer cells)
• administering chemotherapy treatments
• providing supportive care including intravenous (IV) antibiotics or IV hydration
• collecting blood specimens and monitoring vital signs, weight and urinalysis (a urine test)
• monitoring blood counts to look for abnormalities and managing these appropriately
• managing side effects
• caring for a patient’s central venous access device, a thin plastic tube inserted into a vein that remains in place for the duration of treatment to allow chemotherapy to be given and blood specimens taken
• assessing the mouth for mucositis, a chemotherapy complication where the lining of the mouth or digestive system becomes inflamed or breaks down.

Patient safety is a priority

Before being admitted to this service a nurse will visit you at home to identify any potential risks to you or our staff during your treatment.

Please note: if you do not participate in your care as directed or are verbally or physically aggressive to our staff, you will be discharged from the service and will need to attend Fiona Stanley Hospital for future treatment or be admitted to the ward if required. Mutual respect is expected.

Fiona Stanley Hospital patients receiving care though this service are also required to meet the following criteria.

Patients must:

• have a carer who will stay with them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will maintain a clean home environment as required
• have ambulance cover, or be aware that if an ambulance is needed, they will need to cover all costs
• agree that at times they may need to attend the Cancer Centre for treatments such as blood transfusions, stem cell infusion, or for medical review
• agree that if they become too unwell to be cared for safely at home they will be admitted to FSH.

Patients and carers:

• are responsible for giving medications as instructed
• must immediately advise the treating team if the patient has a temperature 38 degrees or higher – see contact details below for who to contact during and after business hours.

In case of emergency

Please attend the Fiona Stanley Hospital Emergency Department (ED).

Refer a patient

Patients whose condition and treatment can be managed by this service are referred by their treating team.

Contact us

Between 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Phone the Fiona Stanley Hospital Helpdesk on 6512 2222 and ask to speak with the Ambulatory Cancer Care Service.

After hours, Monday to Friday
Phone the Fiona Stanley Hospital Helpdesk on 6512 2222 and ask to speak to Ward 7D or 7C nurse coordinator.

Weekends and public holidays
Phone Fiona Stanley Hospital Helpdesk on 6512 2222 and ask to speak to the chemotherapy unit or Cancer Centre nurses.

Opening hours

This service operates Monday to Friday. If you require care on a weekend or public holiday you will need to attend the Cancer Centre. Appointments will be made for you as required.