Your first visit is for consultation and planning. You will meet some members of your team of health care professionals. They will learn about you and, together with you, make plans for your care. It is very unlikely you will receive any treatment on your first visit. At the end of your first visit, you will likely have some plans in place, either for further testing, treatment or other follow-up.

The Vancouver Island Cente is also a research centre and you may be offered an opportunity to participate in a clinical trial.

What to bring

• Your B.C. Care Card
• List of all current medications (this includes pain killers, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc)
• List of questions to ask at your consultation (it is a good idea to bring a pen and notepad to record appointment dates, information, answers, etc)
• A friend or relative
• Reading glasses, if you use them, as there will be forms to fill and information to read

When you arrive

You will be greeted by a Unit Clerk at the Reception Desk. They will hand you a Health Assessment Form to be filled in which will take around 15-30 minutes. You will then be directed to one of the clinics for your appointment with your oncologist. A physical examination will be conducted by a cancer specialist and this will be an opportunity to talk to the specialist and your nurse. It would be helpful if you write down and bring your questions with you. Altogether, your first visit will last about 2½ hours.

Having a family member or friend come with you is a great way to help you remember what was said. We provide an opportunity to tape record your consultation with the oncologist. If you wish to do this ask the Patient Care Aide before the start of the consultation.

You will be provided with an appointment card before you leave. This will include your primary oncologists' phone number, as well as the number to call to change appointments. It will also be the place where any upcoming appointments are recorded. You should carry this card with you whenever you return to the cancer centre. If you phone in, you will be asked for your chart number. Having this number available speeds up your service.

Other useful information

• the Vancouver Island Centre is a non-smoking facility
• please do not wear scented products
• we ask patients and families not to use cell phones in the centre
• animals other than assist dogs are prohibited in the building
• refer to our frequently asked questions for additional information including how to get to the centre, where to eat, where to stay, etc.