Oncology unit hours changed at Louise Marshall Hospital

MOUNT FOREST – The oncology unit at Louise Marshall Hospital is adjusting its clinic hours.

Effective April 19, the unit will move from a Monday-to-Friday schedule to a Tuesday-to-Friday schedule.

“We are working closely with our physicians and staff to ensure the high-quality service delivery is maintained,” stated Kate Kobbes, VP of clinical services and chief nursing executive, in an April 13 press release.

“The daily hours of operations will be extended on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays allowing us to maintain our current patient volumes and provide the same excellent care.”

Kobbes told the Advertiser that developments in the COVID-19 pandemic and improvements at the hospital pharmacy prompted the change at the clinic, which is a satellite site of the Grand River Regional Cancer Program.

“During the height of the pandemic we had to implement temporary processes for patients coming to the hospital for their chemo treatment, which increased a patients time in the clinic. These processes are no longer required,” Kobbes stated in an email.

“Coupled with this we have been able to create efficiencies in our pharmacy, allowing us to update the oncology clinic hours and offer the same level of service.”

Officials say the oncology unit will “continue to work closely with Grand River to provide out-patients with chemotherapy treatment close to home and decrease the need to travel to and from Grand River Hospital.”