The Vancouver Coastal Health Authority says the Lung Evaluation and Assessment Program will run for two years at Vancouver General Hospital and will employ a nurse navigator, someone with cancer care expertise to support patients, families and caregivers through the treatment process.
Dr. John Yee, head of Thoracic Surgery at VGH and UBC Hospital, said receiving a lung cancer diagnosis is both an overwhelming and emotionally charged experience for many people. He said over the two years, doctors will evaluate wait times, length of hospital stays, re-admission rates and indicators of patient wellbeing, to identify ways to improve other cancer programs.
“Better treatment outcomes and a recovery journey are the goal of the new LEAP project, where a nurse navigator is there every step of the way. You’re not in this alone—you have someone in health care to help.”