Cork University Hospital Showcase
Hospital name: Cork University hospital
Department Name: Radiation Oncology
Contact Name: Derry Little (Radiation Oncology Services Manager)
Una O’Doherty (Radiation Oncology Deputy Services Manager)
Address: Wilton Rd, Cork, Co. Cork
Telephone: 021 4922492
Fax: 021 4922498
Email: littled@mailp.hse.ie
Una.O’Doherty@mailp.hse.ie
Hospital website: www.shb.ie
Bleep: Derry-647
Extension: 021 4921331 Una- 413
Cork City
Cork is situated in the South coast of Ireland; it is a small university city with a lively atmosphere and slower pace of life than other cities in Ireland. Served by Cork airport with other good routes of communication, it is easy to commute to from a wider area.
Accommodation is approximately 400 euro per month and there is plenty available both near the hospital and city center (check out www.daft.ie on the internet). The city center is only 20 minutes walk from the hospital. New vibrant apartments and houses are available for short-term rental or to buy.
Cork has a reasonable cost of living, and the no-smoking ban in all public places has made a vast improvement to the social scene. The pubs and restaurants are now all smoke-free.
There is plenty to do in Cork from water sports, hill walking, and climbing etc to theatre, cinema, shops, pubs and restaurants. Everything that goes to Dublin will come to cork too, reducing the need to travel the length of the country. Cork is the European City of Culture in 2005, which will attract many visitors and events.
Cork Radiation Oncology Department
The Radiation Oncology department serves West Cork, North Cork, South (of river) Lee, North Lee, Kerry, Carlow/ Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford and South Tipperary, producing a new patient referral workload of approximately 1754 patients. During 2004 there were approximately 25000 day patients treated with radiation therapy. The Radiation Oncology department is a comprehensive state of the art department housing a C.T. Scanner, Simulator, 4 Linear Accelerators, Pantak Superficial Unit, HDR brachytherapy, Mould Room and Isotope Unit.
This purpose built department, located on the first floor of the hospital, works in close collaboration with various multidisciplines including surgery, chemotherapy, haematology, palliative care, specialist breast care nurses, histopathology, radiology and physics. There are 15 beds assigned specifically to Clinical Oncology and Haemothology. Hostel type accommodation on site also offers 7 rooms for patients traveling long distances.
The department comprises of a large group of multidiscilpines including: 30 Radiation therapists, 3 Consultant Radiotherapist, 3 registrars, 3 SHO’s, 2 Intern, 5 Oncology Nurses and 8 physics personnel.
Those visiting Cork Radiation Oncology department can expect to see radiation therapists delivering and planning radiation treatment, taking part in new patient clinics, reviewing patients in clinics to assess side effects, looking at treatment images and assessing accuracy of treatment placement on a daily basis, along with training students.
The department comprises of a young and friendly staff group and actively encourages continuing professional development (CPD). The Irish structure is different to the UK, with radiation therapists following the following career path: radiation therapist (newly qualified), senior radiation therapist(4 years qualified) and clinical specialist radiation therapist (6 years qualified). The department is a teaching unit of Trinity College Dublin providing students access to Dublin lectures via satellite, as well as providing students with education lectures and accommodation on site during clinical practice.
Equipment
» C.T. Semiens Somatom Emotion
» Simulator- Varian
» LA1- Siemens, 6MV, MLC, EPI
» LA2- Siemens, 6MV, MLC, EPI (currently being installed)
» LA3-Siemens, 6+15MV, 6,9,12,15,18MeV, MLC, EPI
» LA4- Siemens, 6+15MV, 6,9,12,15,18MeV, MLC, EPI
» Superficial- Pantak Therapax 150 superficial unit, 80, 100 + 120Kv
» Planning- Plato planning, Eclipse being installed.
» Verification- Siemens Lantis record and verify system + View station for EPI
» Brachytherapy- nucletron HDR IBU with iridium source
Techniques
» Breast-Isocentric tangential technique, 3-field isocentric with direct SCF field.
» Pelvis- Isocentric conformal technique with MLC + virtual wedge
» Lung/ Oesophagus- Isocentric technique with MLC + virtual wedge
» Head+Neck- POP isocentric with direct ant neck field with MLC + virtual wedge
» Mantle- Direct or POP non-isocentric with MLC
» Electron- 100 fsd skin apposition
Additional services and roles
» Information and support – A new radiation therapist role has been setup providing information, support and assistance to patients both during new patient clinics and throughout their treatment.
» Welcome Evening – A monthly gathering of new patients and family to give them a tour of the department and demonstration of equipment
» Look Good Feel Better - A make-up programme established to help women maintain their self-esteem and confidence during and after their treatment.
» Review Clinic - Radiation therapist established clinics reviewing Prostate and Breast patients.
» Physics Rotation – Radiation therapist take part in a 6-month rotation in the planning department alongside physics staff.
» Journal Club – Run monthly and chaired by radiation therapists to review peer journals.
» Educational Lectures - Take place on a monthly basis with talks given from the wider multidisciplinary team.
» Student Training- Students from Trinity attend CUH throughout the year with continuous assessments and teaching.
» Internet/Email Access - Available for all staff for research purposes.
» ACT- Aid Cancer Treatment is major fundraiser for the Radiation Oncology department providing equipment and staff education.
» ARC Support Center – A registered charity facility offering full time support to people diagnosed with cancer, their family, friends and professionals working with cancer patients. It offers counseling, education, physiological care, stress management, complementary therapies and a drop in service.
Local area Information
The hospital is:
» Adjacent to a shopping center housing: Tesco, Pharmacy, Boots, Restaurants, Pubs Banks and many more retailers.
» Approximately 15-20 minutes drive to Bons Hospital, South Infirmary Hospital, and Mercy Hospital
» There 3 local Gyms within 10 minutes
» 15 minutes drive to town center
» 40 minutes drive to beaches
» 15 minutes drive to Cork University
» 20 minutes drive to train station and bus station
Bus Services:
» No. 8(located by the A&E department) links the hospital to the town center/ bus station.
» No. 14 (located outside the main hospital gates) links the hospital to the town center/ bus station.
» No. 19 (located outside hospital main gates) links the hospital to the south of the city.
» No. 1 (located outside the main hospital gates) links the hospital to the north of the city.
Parking:
» Main carpark is located opposite the main hospital entrance. Parking costs 1euro per hour. A pay station is located at the steps leading to the main entrance.
» A Radiation Oncology carpark is located to the right of the Radiation Oncology entrance, in front of the Dialysis unit. Parking spaces are limited. Parking in the Radiation Oncology carpark is free; a token is issued during treatment.
Pictures:
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| Radiation Oncology Reception | Treatment Waiting Room | Control Room |
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| C.T. Scanner | Simulator | Linear Accelerator |
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| Superficial Unit | Brachytherapy | Mould Room |
Date: 1st Tuesday of every month Time: 6-7.30pm
Radiotherapy
Welcome
Evening
If you are about to start a course of radiotherapy treatment and would like to know more about the department, we would like to invite you to attend our ‘Welcome Evening’. It involves:
» A tour of the department
» A demonstration of the planning process and treatment machine behind your treatment
» An opportunity to answer any questions you have in a relaxed atmosphere over a cup of tea
The evening will last approximately 1 hour and will be hosted by Radiotherapy staff. ‘Welcome Evenings’ aim to reduce anxiety and stress of the unknown before starting radiotherapy treatment.
As places are limited we would appreciate if you would ring a few days in advance if you cannot attend (021 49222492)
Look Good, Feel Better
Tuesday, ‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗ @ 1.45pm
Patients meet at Chemotherapy Reception
