COVID-19: Regional Cancer Care Impacts
Provincial Pandemic Planning Clinical Guideline
The Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program is aligning the temporary suspension or change in services that are provided in Waterloo Wellington region with Ontario Health – Cancer Care Ontario’s Pandemic Planning Clinical Guideline for Patients with Cancer.
You can find the current Guideline document here dated March 10, 2020. (An updated version will become available soon so please check back.)
Temporary Changes to Oncology Services in Waterloo Wellington Region
Please click here to see the current summary list.
Grief and Bereavement Resources to Support Professionals
The Ontario Palliative Care Network acknowleges the need for a range of grief and bereavement supports and services during and folloiwng the pandemic that is likely to reach unprecedented levels. To support health care professionals/formal care providers seeking grief and bereavement resources, the Ontario Palliative Care Network has collated a number of helpful resources in the document which can be found here. It is divided into two sections:
- Resources to support providers who are involved in providing grief and bereavement support and services to families
- Resources to support providers with their own coping and well-being
Please share this broadly with your colleagues.
Guidance for Primary Care Providers Resuming Cancer Screening
Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) has distributed a COVID-19 Tip Sheet #15: Guidance for primary care providers resuming breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening. This Tip Sheet provides specific considerations for primary care providers as they resume routine cancer screening.
You can read the Tip Sheet #15 here.
Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) will continue to share key information and guidance as it becomes available.
Resuming Cancer Screening Reference Documents
July/August 2020:
Cancer Screening - Gradual Phased Resumption Summary
Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program has created a summary chart of the above cancer screening services being resumed for your quick review.
Summary Guidance for Primary Care Providers Resuming Cancer Screening_2020_08_25
Developed by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario). You can read the summary here.
Colorectal Cancer Screening & FIT Requisition Update
Information from from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario). You can read the summary here.
High Risk OBSP Updates
Read this important update on how COVID-19 has impacted the Waterloo Wellington High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program.
October 2020:
Colorectal Cancer Screening & FIT Kit Update
Read this update on expanding screening with the FIT to all eligible people at average risk for colorectal cancer.
January 2021:
OBSP Centralized Correspondence Resumption Update
OBSP centralized correspondence letters will resume in January 2021 (OBSP birthday invitations and OBSP invitation reminders). Click here to read the full Communique from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).
February 2021:
UPDATED COVID-19 Tip Sheet #15 - Primary Care Providers Resuming Cancer Screening
A streamlined version of Tip Sheet #15 has been developed to further support primary care providers with the resumption of cancer screening. Click here to read the tip sheet.
April 2021:
Guidance for Primary Care Providers - Adenopathy Related to COVID-19 Vaccination - 2021-04-16
Cancer Screening, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) has developed recommendations to support primary care in managing COVID-19 vaccine-related lymphadenopathy in their patients. Click here to read the recommendations.
Patient Resource about patient safety during COVID-19 - Your Safety Matters: How cancer programs are keeping you safe during COVID-19
This resource provides an overview of safety measures put in place to keep patients safe. It emphasizes the importance of attending appointments and tests, and directs patients to physical and psychosocial supports available provincially and locally. Click here to read and print the resource for patients and their caregivers.
Thank you!
During an incredibly difficult time for all healthcare providers, we appreciate your cooperation and support as we work through the COVID-19 pandemic together, while providing the necessary prioritized care to your patients. Thank you for your extraordinary efforts during this crisis!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Barbara-Anne Maier, manager of regional cancer programs at 519-749-4370 ext. 6874 or Barbara-Anne.Maier@grhosp.on.ca.
