At Waverley Private Hospital, we understand that you are more than your cancer diagnosis. We strive to ensure your whole physical and emotional health is cared for during and after treatment with a range of cancer wellness services.

Treatment for cancer extends beyond the surgery you may have had, or the medicine you may receive. Holistic cancer care encompasses all aspects of your physical and emotional wellbeing.

A healthy diet, being strong and fit and having good mental health are all crucial for optimising your treatment outcomes and quality of life. Allied Health Professionals, such as dietitians, physiotherapists and psychologists, play an important role in helping you achieve these things.

But it can be stressful to travel to multiple places for appointments with allied health professionals during and after your cancer treatment.

Ramsay Health Plus offers you access to a network of expert allied health professionals, at nearby Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital or Masada Private Hospital.

Our team of dietitians, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, psychologist, speech therapist and occupational therapist will work together to tailor a cancer rehabilitation program to meet your unique needs.

You don’t need to have received your cancer treatment at Waverley Private Hospital to access Ramsay Health Plus. And you may not even need a referral.

Sometimes, cancer treatment can affect your ability to perform everyday activities. Your physical abilities may be limited and your emotional wellbeing and quality of life may suffer as a consequence.

The multidisciplinary CancerCare ACTIVATE program is specially designed for people who have experienced a decline in functioning and quality of life as a result of cancer treatment.

ACTIVATE combines education, exercise and support in a small group setting for two hours, twice a week for six weeks. The program aims to boost your ability to enjoy an active and fulfilling life.

Click here for information on our Lymphoedema services.

Click here for Ramsay Health Plus Lymphoedema information.

Waverley Private Hospital is proud to work with the Cancer Patients Foundation to provide the Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) program. LGFB is a free national community service program run by the Cancer Patients Foundation. Volunteers teach you how to manage the appearance-related side-effects caused by your treatment - helping you to face cancer with confidence.

The LGFB volunteers discuss common side effects of cancer treatment such as skin dryness and sun sensitivity as well as make up tips to help correct and conceal redness, sallowness, pigmentation and dark circles. They also teach techniques for drawing on eyebrows and offer advice on headwear, such as scarves and wigs.

For more information visit https://lgfb.org.au/

Waverley Private are very pleased to be able to offer our patients access to the latest Scalp Cooling equipment.

Cool caps or scalp cooling is useful for patients receiving chemotherapy to prevent the alopecia associated with some chemotherapy drugs.

Scalp cooling is innovative technology which involves the use of a “cold cap” that is attached to a refrigeration machine that circulates a liquid coolant into the cap.

The cold cap is worn prior to chemotherapy, duration of the chemotherapy infusion and for a designated time afterwards.

Colder temperatures are thought to induce vasoconstriction to the hair follicles. This means less delivery of chemotherapy and thus less toxin exposure to replicating hair cells.

Although it may not always prevent alopecia, it can significantly reduce the volume of hair lost, and this can improve your quality of life during chemotherapy.

Please speak to your oncologist or our friendly nursing team to see if it may be suitable for you.

If you are experiencing hair loss related to your cancer treatments, you may want to wear a wig or a scarf.

There are many online wig suppliers who offer a wide range of synthetic and human hair wigs for you to purchase. You can visit their shop for some suppliers can offer you a consultation in your own home. Our oncology nurses are also able to provide you with details of some of our local suppliers.

Some Health Funds under their extras cover provide a wig rebate for those experiencing medical hair loss, however they vary from fund to fund. It is best to discuss your particular claim with your Heath Fund provider. You will need to provide a doctor’s referral letter with the invoice when lodging the claim.

Cancer Council Victoria offer a free wig service. They offer an extensive range of synthetic wigs along with headscarves, beanies and cotton caps for more information please follow the link.

Some women prefer to wear a scarf or a hat while their hair is growing back, our oncology nursing team are able to provide you with a selection that have been made by our hospital volunteers.

Your emotional wellbeing is just as important as your physical health during and after cancer treatment.

Speak to our Cancer Care Navigator of any other concerns you may have and a plan will be put into place to access support services for you.