Flossie Swart

GVI Oncology

GVI Oncology is now known as Cancercare. Cancercare has 28 Clinical Oncologists in their fulltime employ, whilst their facilities around the country are used by a further 18 independent Oncology specialists. Cancercare currently has the largest complement of radiation therapists (Radiographers), radiation laboratory technicians, full time medical physicists, counsellors, oncology trained professional nurses in the country. Over the same period Cancercare grew from an organisation seeing less than 200 new patients in year one, to more than 4,200 new patients per year, and from registering less than 2,000 patient contacts in year one, to more than 130,000 patient contacts per year which administers around 17,000 chemotherapy treatments and more than 58,000 individual radiotherapy sessions per year. Cancercare is widely regarded as a forerunner in the field of cancer management in South Africa and has been responsible for many "firsts" in the field of radiotherapy in South Africa. Numerous national initiatives have developed with the input of Cancercare and their management is intimately involved in the establishment of the SA Oncology Consortium (SAOC – see www.saoc.org.za) and the Independant Clinical Oncology Network (ICON). They are also intimately involved national co-operatives like the industry comments on the Health Charter, National Cancer Plan, Prescribed Minimum Benefits and ongoing Fee negotiations. Our philosophy towards cancer treatment is holistic and we are continually striving to achieve our core purpose of excellence in the provision of comprehensive cancer care. To this effect Cancercare has documented Standard Operating procedures for all tasks undertaken throughout the organization allowing standardization and setting an expected standard of care. We also have a performance appraisal system geared at improving any deficiencies any staff may have to help us achieve the highest possible standards in everything we do.