This patient information has been provided to help answer any questions you may have about your treatment at the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC).
What is the CDC (Community Diagnostic Centre)?
A Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is designed to provide easier access to diagnostic tests and screening outside of the acute hospital setting. The CDC provides a role in improving health accessibility, reducing pressure in hospitals and providing more streamlined care for patients.
There is an area within the Skegness CDC that will be used to administer some Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatments (SACT).
The administration of SACT in the CDC will provide easier access to SACT outside of the acute hospital setting allowing some treatments to be given closer to home.
What is the aim of the CDC?
The aim of the CDC is to reduce the amount of travelling you must do, by providing the opportunity to deliver certain cancer treatments closer to where you live. It will also reduce the amount of time you have to wait for your treatment.
Can anyone have treatment at the CDC?
Not all patients or treatments are suitable for the CDC. If we think that you are, you will be assessed and offered the option of having your treatment at the CDC. However, you will receive your first two treatments at your oncology centre (Lincoln/Boston) in case you have any allergic reactions or side effects.
There may be circumstances when the CDC cannot administer your treatment on the day planned. If this happens you will be contacted by telephone and alternative arrangements will be made for you to have your treatment at the hospital where you had your first treatment.
What about blood tests?
If you need a blood test before treatment, this can be done at your local GP surgery or hospital; you will need to make an appointment with your surgery or the hospital pathology service. You can also have a blood test taken at the CDC between the hours of 8.30am and 12.00pm; no appointment is required at the CDC.
We will give you a blood test form each time you attend so that you can arrange a blood test before your next appointment. Please make sure you take a blood test request form home with you.
Depending on your treatment you will need to have your blood test at a specified time before your next treatment. Your treatment nurse will advise you. This will ensure your blood test can be reviewed before your assessment and your drugs can be prepared in advance. Without the blood results, treatment cannot be given and may result in your treatment being delayed or cancelled. It is important to arrange the blood test as advised by the nurse.
If your blood test results are out of range, you will be contacted and assessed via a telephone call. You may be asked to have another blood test to make sure that you can have your treatment.
Will I need to be assessed before treatment?
Yes. There are no doctors at the CDC, so you will be assessed before each treatment to make sure you are well enough to have cancer treatment. This will either be done at a clinic appointment in hospital ahead of your treatment or over the telephone by a SACT treatment nurse or oncology doctor, in the days before or the day before your treatment.
You must be available to receive a telephone call on a landline or mobile number. If the telephone assessment suggests you are unwell your treatment may be delayed, and you may have to be seen by your oncology doctor before we can continue your treatment.
Why might the treatment in the CDC be stopped?
There may be situations where we will have to stop giving you your treatment in the CDC. This may be because of how you are feeling during treatment, the condition of your veins for cannulation or that you have reduced mobility. This will be discussed with yourself, nursing staff and your oncology doctor.
This does not mean your treatment will stop but you may have to attend your hospital oncology centre to continue your treatment.
How is treatment given in the CDC?
Treatment will be given the same way as it is in hospital. The CDC has four comfortable chairs, and the treatment nurses have all the equipment needed to give you your treatment.
What happens on the day of my appointment at the CDC?
To ensure the day runs smoothly, please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your appointment time. You will arrive at the CDC reception and be asked to take a seat to wait for the nurse to come and collect you and take you through to the treatment room.
As there is limited space in the CDC treatment area anyone accompanying you will not be able to stay with you during your treatment, however, they will be able to wait in the CDC reception area.
Car parking is free.
Hot drinks and biscuits are available in the CDC treatment area, but we recommend that you bring any additional refreshments/food you may need with you.
Contact the CDC
If you feel unwell on the day of your treatment or you cannot attend the CDC for your appointment for any reason, please contact:
- 01522 572260 (Lincoln patients)
- 01205 446548 (Boston patients)