Winnipeg cancer patient saddened by move to consolidate treatment, cut services at Concordia and Seven Oaks

A breast cancer patient in Winnipeg is lamenting the fact that in the coming months, she'll no longerbe able to visit her neighbourhood hospital to receivetreatment.

CancerCare Manitoba will no longer offer outpatient careat Concordia and Seven Oaks hospitals as of December, consolidating those services instead at four other Winnipeg locations.

"For me, it's like breaking up a little family," said Sherry Klassen.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer a decade ago. Aside from a few years where she was in remission, she has returnedto Concordia Hospital every few weeks fortreatment.

The staff knows her by name. She said the care she receives isexemplary.

"I really like feeling thatI don't have to go far to get what I need. I'm in, I get it done, I get home," Klassen said.

"It will be a sorrow to me to lose that."

Benefits in consolidation: CancerCare

Sri Navaratnam, president and CEO of CancerCare Manitoba, said in a news release Friday that an "independent review of cancer services has highlighted the benefits to access and quality of care" that come with consolidation.

"We areconfidentthesechangeswill allow for enhanced high-quality cancer services to be delivered safely and effectively atthesesites, particularly as Manitoba's population ages andchanges."

Klassen sees the organization's moveas a cost-cutting measure.

She understands the need to save money, "but forme, there's no comfort in losing that site. That just adds one more stressor to the things I already have to deal with."

WATCH | Sherry Klassenexplains the ease of going to Concordia Hospital:

Cancer patient saddened by CancerCare changes

4 years ago

Duration 0:31

Sherry Klassen, a breast cancer patient in Winnipeg, will have to go to a different hospital because of changes being planned for outpatient services by CancerCare Manitoba.

Her life revolves around her breast cancer diagnosis, which has progressed to Stage 4, and the various rounds of treatmentshe receives, Klassen said. She visits Concordia multiple times a month.

Her family can usually run a few errands as they wait for her treatment to be done, or even return home, since the hospital is nearby.

That won't be possible if she has to be chauffeured regularly to another hospital, such as St. Boniface,where she's also worried about dealingwith a shortage of parking.

"The process of getting in and out is a hassle," she said.

4 sites for outpatient care, down from 6

Beginning in December, outpatient care in Winnipeg will only be offered at CancerCare's headquarters at 675 McDermot Ave., and St. Boniface, Victoria and Grace hospitals.

The organization will contact affected patients to ensure they are taken care of at their preferred location, it said in a news release Friday. CancerCare said no staffing will be reduced as result.

The head of Manitoba's nurses union says her membersare "deeply concerned" by what she described as rushed consolidation.

The health system in Winnipeg has gone through an overhaul the last few years already, with the conversion of three emergency rooms to other uses, notedManitoba Nurses Unionpresident Darlene Jackson.

"This will not only affect CancerCare staff, including severalnursesat the Concordia and Seven Oaks hospitals, but also the patients from the surrounding catchment areas, including rural communities," she said in a statement.

"Protecting CancerCare services at these community hospitals is important for ensuring accessibility, improving care, and reducing burdens for CancerCare patients."

Lounging in her North Kildonan backyard,Klassenwas pleased to say her cancer isn't progressing right now. Her family and her Christian faith have kept her fighting, she says, but she's aware of the long-term prognosis.

"I know that sooner or later, this is what it's going to be for methis is what's going to take me home," she said.

"As a person with sincere beliefs, I know where I'm going, I'm just not in a hurry to get there. I'd much prefer to have as much time as possible with my family and enjoy them andstill be part of their lives."