Cancer handbook: Ward and clinic information, Westmead
Camperdown Ward is the Oncology Ward at CHW but children may be admitted to other wards.
Children may be moved between wards to accommodate their care:
- Variety Ward (isolation ward for children with infections)
- Wade Ward (for teenagers)
- Pediatric Intensive Care (if children require intensive care)
- Surgical Unit (post-operative care)
- Commercial Travellers (Neurosurgical & Neurological care)
Camperdown Ward has hepa-filtration that is necessary for a small group of patients, such as those undergoing bone marrow transplant.
If your child has a cough, cold, runny nose or any respiratory symptoms they will not be admitted to Camperdown Ward or Clancy Ward but will be isolated in another ward in the Hospital.
No matter where your child is admitted in the Hospital, the Oncology Team will still look affer them. The oncologist-on-call will see your child each day on ward rounds.
Clinic hours
- 8am-6pm, Monday-Friday (closed public holidays)
- appointments to see doctors finish at 12:30pm
What to bring
- Medicare card
- blood test form (given at discharge)
- family handbook
Before you arrive at Clinic
- go to the blood collection area and hand in your request form and Medicare card
- write your child's name on the list and wait for your turn
- the blood may be taken from your child's central line, but sometimes a finger prick or needle is required
- once blood has been taken, go directly to the Clinic
On arrival
- on arrival in Clinic, hand in your Medicare card
- if your child is unwell (runny nose, cough etc) let staff know immediately - you will be directed to an isolation area
- a play therapy program is available in the waiting area along with tea and coffee for parents and snacks for children
- video games, TV and books are also available
- waiting times can be lengthy, you can bring food and activities for your child
Before treatment
- a doctor will review your child before treatments starts
- they will check blood results and examine your child for treatment
- blood counts and treatment will be recorded in your Family Handbook
- you will be given appointments for follow-up (including blue clinic appointment forms & pathology request forms)
- make your next appointment before leaving the Clinic.
During treatment
- you will then be directed back to the waiting area to be called by the nursing staff for your treatment
- there may be delays if drugs or blood products are not available, but staff will try to let you know if delays are anticipated
- your child will be brought into one of the clinic treatment rooms
- if your child needs to stay for an infusion, you will be moved into the day-stay area
- lounges and movies are available in this area
- sandwiches are available to children in the day-stay area, but your child may prefer something packed from home.