Quinte Health has completed an expansion of the Dr. Douglas A. MacIntosh Cancer Clinic at Belleville General Hospital, creating additional space for patients and families receiving cancer care.
By repurposing existing space adjacent to the clinic, the expansion enhances the experience for patients visiting the clinic for consultations, assessments, and treatment planning with physicians, oncology nurses, social workers and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
The expanded space provides additional room for patients and families and strengthens Quinte Health’s ability to meet the growing demand for cancer care in the region.
At the Dr. Douglas A. MacIntosh Cancer Clinic, systemic therapy visits such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy have increased by 23 per cent since 2019/20, while total visits to the Cancer Clinic have grown by 36 per cent over the same period.
The growth reflects a broader trend across Ontario. According to Ontario Health, nearly one in two Ontarians are expected to develop cancer during their lifetime, and more than 260 people in the province are diagnosed with cancer every day. At the same time, improved treatments and earlier detection mean more people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis, increasing the need for ongoing care and support.
“This expansion is about ensuring people in our region continue to receive high-quality cancer care close to home,” said Stacey Daub, President and CEO of Quinte Health. “We are seeing more people requiring cancer care each year, and at the same time more people are living longer with cancer thanks to advances in treatment. This additional space will help our teams continue providing compassionate, patient-centred care to the patients and families who rely on us.”
Members of the oncology team, patients, volunteers, and other Quinte Health team members joined representatives from the Belleville General Hospital Foundation to mark the completion of the expanded space. During the gathering, time was taken to recognize the oncology team whose skill and compassion support patients and families throughout their cancer journey, and to thank the redevelopment and facilities teams whose work made the expansion possible, along with the generous donors who support cancer care through the Belleville General Hospital Foundation.
The Dr. Douglas A. MacIntosh Cancer Clinic provides a range of oncology services for patients across the region, including diagnosis, care planning, treatment, follow-up, emotional support, and pain and symptom management.
