Cancer care

Our cancer care oncology services

Our oncology services at St John of God Bendigo Hospital provide a holistic care to support your emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing as well as your surgical and medical needs.

Our cancer treatment services offer a high standard of professional and multidisciplinary care, including oncology and haematology.

When you come to St John of God Bendigo Hospital, you can access cancer surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, care from a range of specialists across different disciplines including allied health, pain management, pastoral care and Breast Care Nurses.

Day chemotherapy at St John of God Bendigo Hospital

Your cancer treatment may include day chemotherapy.

As a patient at St John of God Bendigo Hospital, you can receive day chemotherapy in our comfortable Day Oncology Centre, located on the ground floor of the Atrium.

Our Day Oncology Centre caregivers aim to offer a soothing and caring environment as you undergo your chemotherapy treatment. Tea, coffee, a special menu and reading materials are available to help you feel as relaxed as possible.

We are a small, dedicated team that are passionate about providing very personalised and individualised care, which is supported by the patient feedback we receive.

Scalp cooling caps

Scalp cooling caps are designed to help reduce hair loss as you undergo chemotherapy.

The scalp cooling acts by lowering the temperature of the scalp and reducing the blood flow and the metabolism of the chemotherapy. As a result, the hair is not damaged by the chemotherapy treatment and is less likely to fall out.

This service is all a part of our cancer care at St John of God Bendigo Hospital which is focused on your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Oncology rehabilitation

Cancer care at St John of God Bendigo Hospital doesn't stop after surgery or therapy treatment, we consider your long term wellbeing and getting you back to doing what you love.

Our oncology rehabilitation program gives you access to support, information, exercise programs and education to enhance your health and wellbeing during and after your cancer treatments.

We offer a wealth of experience in medical and oncology nursing and care, working as a team to deliver a personalised health care program to help take care of your medical, physical and emotional needs.

GP information

Whilst specialising in provision of day chemotherapy treatments, including scalp cooling caps, our Day Oncology Centre also provides a variety of non-chemotherapy infusion services, including:

• Iron infusions
• Infliximab and vedolizumab for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis 
• Tysabri and octrevus for multiple sclerosis 
• Orencia for rheumatoid arthritis 
• IVIg for multiple conditions 

Patients can access these services via referral to one of our private physicians. Call our Oncology Nurse Unit Manager Claire Pysing on 03 5434 3317 for advice.

Oncology rehabilitation referral forms should be addressed to Rehabilitation Physician Dr Kareen Khaw.

Our Senior Exercise Physiologist Katie Sutton can be contacted directly via email with any oncology rehabilitation enquiries.