A collaboration between North York Family Health Team and North York General Hospital with funding from Cancer Care Ontario, North York Family Health Team and North York General Hospital have created a new survivorship program for patients with colorectal cancer.
The CCSP is a new model of cancer survivorship care that transfers the monitoring of patients, who have finished active treatment, to primary care from oncologists and surgeons. This innovative program centralizes follow-up care for patients and will alleviate wait times for newly diagnosed patients needing to see a cancer specialist.
The survivorship program follows the latest best practices and includes three important components: nurse practitioner provision of care, stoma care when needed, and connection to community resources when needed. The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada runs a local support group and NYGH psychiatrists who support the Hospital's cancer care program continue to support patients during their survivorship period.
Located in the community, the CCSP provides care from North York Family Health Team’s central clinic.
The presence of both allied health providers and electronic medical record systems have made it possible to create a robust program that translates evidence-based care into clinical best practices.
Together, North York Family Health Team and North York General Hospital are improving access to cancer care in Ontario. They are also striving to have all clinicians work to full scope in roles that are engaging, challenging, and satisfying.