Acute Oncology Services

Acute Oncology is an exciting and evolving speciality that brings together disciplines from oncology, emergency care (ED), acute medicine and palliative care to provide a cohesive patient service for patients presenting with oncological emergencies, it is challenging, interesting, unpredictable, and rewarding.

Though the initial focus of acute oncology development was within the acute care setting and primarily the role of oncology and haemato-oncology, it is now recognised that the acute oncology patient pathway crosses many boundaries and there is a need to involve, educate, and call upon the wider health care team to recognise their role in the patient pathway and respond appropriately to support this vulnerable group of patients – Acute Oncology is everyone’s business.

The Acute Oncology patient episode begins at the same point for all patient groups at the first contact with a health professional during this acute episode and ends at the point that responsibility for care is transferred to site specific, specialist palliative or primary care team. It is vital that the wider health care team is informed educated and able to provide relevant Acute Oncology intervention and care wherever and whenever the patient presents.