New Patient Visit with the Cancer Program

Directions to RVH

Parking information at RVH

Transportation options in Simcoe Muskoka. Please note that some options may only be available for patients with a confirmed cancer diagnosis.

Travelling from out of town to attend your in-person appointment at RVH?

Rotary House is a hotel-like lodge for RVH patients where you and your caregiver can stay the night before your appointment.

Click here for more information.

Please visit the Cancer Program page and click on the General Information tab. The Contact Us section contacts a phone list.

Please visit the Cancer Program page and click on the General Information tab. The visitor information section includes information about COVID-19 restrictions and visitor policy.

The purpose of the New Patient appointment is to review your current health concerns. For some patients, this may be your first appointment with the Cancer Program.

There are many reasons why patients are referred to the Cancer Program.

Not everyone who has a New Patient appointment has a cancer diagnosis. Some patients may already have a confirmed cancer diagnosis. Others may have medical issues which may be cancer, but more information is needed to confirm if it is cancer.

Your Care Team at the Cancer Program is here to help you and your family get more information about your health, talk about next steps and possible treatment options. We will work together to plan your next steps in care.

Some of the information in the section “Supports for patients and caregivers” below are written for those with a cancer diagnosis.

Please note that this might not be your case, and you may wish to skip over this information.

The New Patient appointment can be in-person (at RVH), over the phone, or video conferencing (PCVC). We confirmed which type of appointment you will be having when we contacted you with the appointment date and time. If you are not sure which type of appointment you will be having, please call the Cancer Program’s reception at 705-728-9090 x43333.

Complete your symptom screening. Go to https://isaac.ontariohealth.ca/. You will need to enter your Ontario health card number to begin.

Symptom screening tool is used to tell your healthcare team if you are having any symptoms related to your health condition. It is not a COVID-19 screening tool. If you have given us your consent to receive emails from RVH, you may receive an email 3 days before your New Patient appointment. This email will include instructions on how to complete your symptom screening. Please see How to Complete Symptom Screening (Your Symptoms Matter) at Home for more information.

Make a list of your current prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking. Your pharmacist may be able to give you a paper copy of all the prescription medications you are currently taking.

Write down any food or medication allergies that you have.

Write down any questions you may have for your appointment.

What to bring to your appointment:

• Ontario Health Card
• Private drug insurance information
• A list of your current medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking
• A list of your food or medication allergies
• A list of questions or concerns that you may have
• Pen and paper (to take notes)
• A book or other items to help you pass the time
• Water and a light snack if you need it

If your appointment is at RVH, please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time.

Exception for hematology-related appointments: please come 60 minutes (1 hour) before your appointment to do blood work.  When we register you for your appointment, we will order your blood work.

At your first appointment, we may:

• Ask you to complete symptom screening (if you have not completed it at home).
• Ask you to complete blood/lab work
• Ask about your medical and surgical history, medications you’re taking
• Ask you to complete symptom screening (more information here). You can also complete this at home before you arrive.
• Perform a physical exam
• Talk about your treatment plan
• Answer your questions
• Give you education materials
• Give you information on your upcoming appointments

If your New Patient appointment is in-person at RVH, please plan to be at RVH for 2-4 hours.

For in-person visits at RVH, many patients find it helpful to bring someone with them to their New Patient appointment.

Please check the latest visitor policy to see if this is possible (click on the General Information tab, then Visitor Policy).

For phone and video conferencing appointments, you can invite your caregiver(s) to be part of the visit. Keep in mind that our team cannot set up conferencing numbers for multiple callers from different locations. We suggest your caregiver(s) be in the same room as you when you have your phone or video conferencing appointment.

If you have an insurance form or disability forms, etc., to be completed by your Care Team (for example, you oncologist (a doctor that treats cancer)) please contact the RVH Health Records department. Please contact Health Records by email or telephone as they are not accepting in-person requests at this time.

Consent will be needed to ensure that your oncologist has your permission to provide medical information to insurance companies. The forms can take up to 30 days to be completed. If you need the form sooner than that, please discuss this with the Health Records Team. You will be contacted by the Health Records Team once the form(s) are completed.