History
Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCHRC) in Visakhapatnam - a Unit of Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai, under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, has been operational since 2014, with a vision of providing multidisciplinary, evidence-based, and affordable cancer care to the underprivileged population. Since its inception as an operational outpatient unit providing medical, gynaecological, preventive oncology, palliative care and day care services, the emphasis has been to provide multi-disciplinary multimodality comprehensive cancer care.
The dedicated Palliative Medicine Department has been in place since 2015, providing a full-day out-patient service. Subsequently, in a phased manner, the Institution has evolved into one of the largest Comprehensive Cancer Centres for clinical care, education and research in the region. At present, with approximately 200 beds, HBCHRC offers comprehensive cancer care including diagnostic services - pathology (surgical and molecular), radiology (CT scan / MRI / Mammography, OPG, etc.), nuclear medicine (PET-CT, SPECT-CT), and a blood bank. Our state-of-the-art treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, preventive and palliative services including home care and rehabilitation.
Profile
The Palliative Medicine Department is co-located with the Oncology Service. Early and concurrent palliative care is provided to all patients irrespective of the intent of treatment (radical or palliative). Early assessment and management of pain and symptoms takes place from diagnosis, along with disease directed therapy which helps patients comply with their treatment and preserve / improve Quality of Life. The department helps to manage psychological, social, and spiritual concerns of the patients and their families along the trajectory of the illness. Patients are routinely followed up with concerns communicated and resolved by shared decision making. Goals of care discussions and advance care plans help to facilitate smooth transitions. Ensuring continuity of care and good end-of-life care practice is a constant endeavor. The department is managed by a Consultant and a Senior Resident with support from other hospital services including nursing, psycho-oncologist, medical social workers and rehabilitation services. In the recent past, we had the Integrated Hospital Based Continuity of Care (IHCC) project (being supported by the Cipla Foundation) which supplements the departmental services with a multidisciplinary team including doctors, nurses, physiotherapist, clinical psychologist and administrative staff.
Specialities
The Institution currently provides comprehensive and holistic care, with services in Medical Oncology, Paediatric Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Critical Care and Anaesthesiology, Radio diagnosis, Palliative Medicine, Nursing, Pathology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Psycho-oncology, Haemato-Oncology, Preventive Oncology, along with ancillary services like Medical Social Work (MSW) and Rehabilitation Services (occupational and physiotherapy, nutrition and speech and swallow therapy).Palliative Care is provided across all site-specific cancers.
The Institution is a training hub and coordinating centre for training in preventive oncology, basic oncology services and palliative care for the state of Andhra Pradesh. Since 2022, HBCHRC is the Secretariat for the National Cancer Grid – Andhra Pradesh Chapter and is responsible for several initiatives related to training, virtual tumour boards, technical support towards equipment and cancer drug procurement.
HBCHRC is also one of the National Hubs for the Quality Improvement in Palliative Care - a collaborative project with Stanford University since 2017, which is incorporated into the National Cancer Grid as the EQuIP (Enable Quality Improve Patient Care) programme for both Oncology and Palliative care.
Palliative and Supportive Care
The Outpatient Department of Palliative Medicine works everyday through the week and provides early, concurrent and supportive care to ambulatory patients with the responsibility being shared with the primary oncology consultants. For in-patients, palliative care works on a consultative model. Patients admitted are referred for symptom control, psychological issues, needs assessment, transition of care and end-of-life care. In addition to patient and proxy visits in the hospital, continuity of care is preserved by triaging patients and planning telephonic consults regularly. For those within a 100 km radius, care is continued through home care visits. When needed, patients are referred to the community hospice and support is continued through telephonic follow up. Our ‘Teaming with Teams’ approach helps coordinate compassionate care along the disease trajectory for patients while providing respite and empowering caregivers and families.
Last update: October 2024
