Cancer doesn’t stop. Neither do we.

Continuing your treatment and keeping you safe during COVID-19

Your health and safety is our priority

Your safety and continued access to high-quality care are our top priorities. Our teams have taken every precaution to ensure that people seeking treatment are safe in GenesisCare centres.

Don’t delay your health checks, appointments and treatment – early detection saves lives.

If you have any concerns about starting or continuing treatment for cancer at this time, please reach out to your local centre.

COVID-19 vaccine and cancer patients

Many cancer patients in Australia are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as part of the second phase (phase 1b) of the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.

Cancer Australia has compiled a comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 vaccines for people living with cancer in Australia. These are based on evidence currently available in Australia and globally.

Continuing your treatment

What are we doing to keep you safe?

Providing safe and clean facilities is a key focus, and we have increased the frequency of cleaning rounds including in high use areas in all our centres.

All employees and guests are asked to practice increased infection control strategies when in our centres, with the use of hand sanitiser, respiratory hygiene practices and social distancing in line with our Covid safe plans.

We are screening all people who attend our centres for Covid risk or symptoms on arrival.

We are minimising the number of people who enter our centres and, when guided by state authorities, may ask that only carers who are essential to patients’ wellbeing enter our centres. Visitors will be screened on arrival.

Visitors will not be allowed in our centres if they:

  • Have been diagnosed with coronavirus and have not been released from isolation
  • Have arrived in Australia in the last 14 days
  • Have come into contact with a person who is a confirmed case of coronavirus in the last 14 days
  • Have a temperature of 37.5°C or greater or symptoms of acute respiratory infection.
  • Have been advised to quarantine or self-isolate by a health authority
  • Have recently visited a hot spot

GenesisCare has an emergency response plan in place which we will activate if a patient and/or employee becomes positive for COVID-19.

Genesis Care staff follow state health authority guidelines for use of PPE such as eye protection, masks, gloves and gowns.

Please let us know if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever or a cough before you attend our centre. Visit the Department of Health website for information on symptoms of COVID-19. Please call us in advance of your appointment if you are feeling unwell.

If you have been advised to isolate or quarantine please contact the centre as soon as possible

If you have had a positive COVID test in the past week please contact the centre as soon as possible

In order to reduce the number of people in the waiting room, please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your appointment time. Where possible, we encourage a minimum of 1.5 metres between people in our waiting rooms.

Unfortunately, not all our centres are able to offer hot beverages, refreshments and newspapers/magazines as usual. We encourage you to bring your own water bottle and to use the hand sanitiser provided before and after touching the tap.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitiser provided, avoid touching your face, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you cough or sneeze. Please dispose of tissues and wash hands immediately. Please wear a mask if your State Government requires you to.

Kindly request that any visitors displaying symptoms of illness, such as elevated temperature, coughing, sneezing or headaches, postpone their visit to your home.

Where appropriate, some of your doctor’s appointments may take place via phone or telehealth. Telehealth can be used for appointments with your doctor when they are at a different location to you. This will allow you and your doctor to discuss and share health information and images without the need for you to travel to a clinic. Specific details will be provided as required. This will help reduce the risk for you and other patients.

FAQs

I have an upcoming appointment with GenesisCare

All our centres and clinics are operating, and we are assessing each patient’s individual risks to provide the best care. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic globally, implementing the latest State and Federal Government advice, and adding extra precautionary measures to maintain a safe environment for our teams and patients.

It’s important that you continue your treatment as prescribed. Cancer doesn’t stop and nor should your treatment.

Yes. GenesisCare can provide you with a letter if needed stating the requirements for travel for medical treatment. Please contact your local treatment centre to obtain  a letter. Where long distance, interstate travel is required, please discuss this with your Doctor.

Please contact your local centre if you have been advised to isolate.

The Department of Health has more information for older people, available here.

Everybody is at risk of contracting COVID-19. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people living in remote communities are at greater risk from COVID-19. We encourage you to follow the guidelines provided by the Department of Health to protect yourself, your mob and stop the spread.

More information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is available here.

We are minimising the number of people who enter our centres and, when guided by state authorities, may ask that only carers who are essential to patients’ wellbeing enter our centres.

Please contact your centre prior to your appointment if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever or a cough. Visit the Department of Health website for information on seeking medical attention for symptoms of COVID-19.

If you’re concerned that you may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms the Department of Health has provided an online self-checker tool via the healthdirect website.

Alternatively, if you wish to speak to someone directly to discuss your symptoms call heathdirect on 1800 022 222.

Healthdirect are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice.

Our centres are equipped to continue treatment if a patient contracts COVID-19 and urgent treatment is required. Every patient will be assessed individually by their treating doctor to ensure safety is maintained.

Resources to support you:

  1. Department of Health

    COVID-19 Support website for resources to support your mental health and wellbeing.

  2. The Cancer Council

    offer additional information about cancer and Coronavirus  and also offers telephone support on 13 11 20.

  3. Look Good Feel Good

    (LGFG) are running virtual workshops for cancer patients. Visit their website to find out more.

  4. Breast Cancer Network Australia

    (BCNA) have online resources for breast patients, such as podcasts, which you can find here.

  5. Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia

    (PCFA) have an online factsheet available to provide support for prostate patients.

  6. Rare Cancers

    have established a “COVID-19 hub” showcasing resources and information, such as factsheets and videos, to assist you during this time.

  7. Beyond Five

    for head and neck cancer patients, Beyond Five have a comprehensive health and wellbeing offering, with support in your local area.