Providing appropriate treatment without delay is essential for the successful treatment of cancer. Patients are invited to the Department of Oncology after they have been referred by their physician. The waiting times to access care are monitored on a monthly basis.
When the referral arrives, the need for treatment and its urgency are assessed by the head of department or a by a specialist. In non-urgent situations (e.g. referrals for postoperative adjuvant treatments), treatment is initiated within four weeks of surgery (recommendation by the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs 3/2010). Metastases and rapidly progressing diseases are considered urgent, and their treatment is initiated sooner, sometimes as an emergency.
- Referral enquiries: +358 9 471 74230, Mon to Fri 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
- Questions and appointments: +358 9 471 76172, Mon to Fri 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Appointments for new patients at the radiation therapy ward: +358 9 471 73184
Arriving at the hospital
The Department of Oncology is located in the Meilahti hospital area. Parking spaces are limited due to construction work. For this reason, we recommend patients to use public transportation when possible.
If your disease impacts on your mobility, Kela – the Social Insurance Institution of Finland – reimburses for example taxi fares. For more information on reimbursements, please visit Kela's website.
The parking garage and parking lots located in the Meilahti hospital area are subject to a fee. If you arrive by car, please come at least 60 minutes before your appointment to allow sufficient time to find parking space.
Arrival information for patients and visitors
Patients who will be admitted to a ward, should register at the patient office located on the first floor of the Department of Oncology. The ward’s daily schedule and other activities are explained at the ward.
Rooms at the ward have one or three beds. There is a limited number of rooms with single beds. Visitors are welcome to bring flowers.
The Department of Oncology is a non-smoking hospital. Nicotine replacement products are available to patients admitted to the wards.
A mailbox is located by the information desk. You can also leave outgoing mail at the department’s office with sufficient amount of stamps. Incoming mail is delivered twice a day. The mailing address is: Department of Oncology, P.O. BOX 180 (Haartmaninkatu 4), 00029 HUS, Finland.
The cafeteria in the entrance lobby is open from Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Items sold at the cafeteria include newspapers, magazines, postcards, notebooks, pens and pencils, hygiene products, socks, stamps, juice, sweets, bakery products, ice cream, take-away meals, salads, as well as pizza and rolls baked at the cafeteria. Vending machines, that contain snacks and soft drinks are located at the entrance lobby. The cafeteria at Meilahti Hospital is open from Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 6:45 pm and on weekends 12:00 pm to 6:45 pm. The kiosk in the entrance lobby is open from Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 6:45 pm and on weekends 11:30 am to 6:45 pm. ATM’s, for cash withdrawals or bill payments, are also located in the entrance lobby.
As a patient at the Department of Oncology
At the Department of Oncology patients are treated at outpatient clinics, wards and at the radiation therapy ward. The two inpatient wards have a total of 43 beds. Physicians in each unit are specialised in the treatment methods of their own unit. Physicians specialising in oncology (a total of 20) work in all of the different units while residents.
A dedicated physician is named for each patient. Preferably, the same physician will be in charge of treatment throughout the entire treatment period, although this cannot always be guaranteed. Within the units, however, a dedicated physician and a nurse or radiotherapist are always named for each patient.