Stratford General’s new cancer clinic opens for closer-to-home care

Community stakeholders and project leaders gather at Stratford General Hospital’s new cancer clinic for a ribbon cutting on Jan. 24. The “jaw-dropping” community achievement means that local residents in Stratford and beyond can get vital care close to home.

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

When Jim Battle was told that Stratford General Hospital will be getting a new cancer clinic a few years ago, he was less than convinced that it would actually happen.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Battle put  it succinctly. “Flash forward a month back, Francesco (Sabatini) and Ryan (Itterman) gave patient partners Jim Young and myself a preview of this renovation and my overall reaction was jaw-dropping.

“The space was simply amazing, outstanding, incredible,” Battle said. “Now I am a believer … on behalf of all of our patients and their caregivers – past, present and future – kindly, let me congratulate with thanks to those who played a significant role in this job.”

Battle, a patient partner with the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) for this project, was at the ribbon cutting on Jan. 24 to celebrate the jaw-dropping community achievement, joining many project leaders and local stakeholders as the clinic was officially opened.

The new, spacious clinic is nearly a decade in the making and is a marked upgrade from Stratford General’s current cancer clinic, which was constructed in the 50s. It has more treatment spaces (going from 12 to 17), a new negative pressure room to provide care for high-risk patients, a specialized Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) room for the insertion of central lines for long-term IV medication administration, and an interior renovation of over 18,000 square feet – with new mechanical, electrical, and security systems, as well as updated windows and roofing.

Francesco Sabatini, project manager and facilities manager, said that the whole renovation was done in mind of patient experience. He cited specifically the lighting levels throughout the unit, which are adjustable, the ratio of private and public treatment spaces for those with different emotional needs when receiving treatment, and a less clinical feel to the space by using warmer colour tones.

Along with the new cancer clinic is an attached pharmacy, with both representing a significant step forward in meeting the needs of patients in the nearby community.

As a satellite program of the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London Health Sciences Centre, HPHA’s clinic serves over 3,500 patient visits annually, including chemotherapy treatments and supportive care for cancers such as breast, prostate, bowel, and lung, among others.

And now residents in Stratford and area won’t always need to head to London to receive their vital care – something which nearly everyone who spoke about the project touched on.

Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma said that he was thinking of one name that morning as he came to the hospital: Claire Kelly.

“Claire Kelly was my mother-in-law,” Ritsma shared. “And Claire went through breast cancer but because at that time the services weren't here, had to go to London for surgery and then the chemotherapy. So I think of today … Claire's name and the number of people now that will, in our local area, be able to get the services that they deserve … close to home.”

Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae, whose mother is a two-time cancer survivor, commented on how appreciative he was of the investment to Stratford.

“When I walked in, first thing I noticed was how beautiful it was, how much light there is,” Rae said. “I know people, when they think of hospitals, they unfortunately think of darker areas but it's a wonderful job that the team has done to design such an open and welcoming space for people who obviously are going through a lot if they're coming to this clinic.”

“When you think of a service like chemotherapy, it's so stressful on patients and family members,” Andrew Williams, HPHA president and CEO, said. “Our role in your journey is to provide as compassionate a level of care as we can, to make sure that we're supporting them as best we can. This facility is outstanding. It's close to home for people. The team is wonderful. It really, I think, contributes in a positive way to what is a very challenging and stressful time for people. We take this very, very seriously and are so impressed and excited about the community support we’ve had.

“I think what will really be interesting will be the current patients who are receiving care now in our existing clinic, who will continue their journey here,” Williams went on to say. “Hearing their observations and perspectives about the impact this has on how they feel about the chemo that they're getting. It's all about the patient.”

The Stratford General Hospital Foundation's In Our Hands Capital Campaign has been instrumental in bringing this clinic to fruition, committing $15 million of its $30 million goal to the project.