Frequently Asked Questions
About Moving to Catholic Medical Center
Why are you moving?
Norris Cotton Cancer Center's existing space at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester just can’t accommodate the continuing growth in clinical cancer care services needed by our patients. In particular, the demand for increased infusion services has outgrown the space, and stressed our ability to deliver necessary oncology services. In the new Notre Dame Pavilion, Catholic Medical Center’s Infusion Therapy department will be conveniently located within the Norris Cotton Cancer Center space. In addition, the Pavilion's larger size will allow Norris Cotton Cancer Center to expand services in Manchester to include interdisciplinary cancer clinics.
Moving outpatient cancer services and partnering with CMC for infusion therapy allows Norris Cotton Cancer Center to provide complete inpatient and outpatient medical oncology services-from clinical laboratories for pre-infusion blood counts and tests, to supportive services such as dietitians, chaplains, social workers, and care managers-in one convenient location for patients. The Notre Dame Pavilion is conveniently located off the highway with quick and easy access, ample parking, and close proximity to other ancillary services our patients may require.
What kind of patient will benefit from this location?
Dartmouth-Hitchcock, CMC, and other primary care patients will benefit from this partnership through the integration of cancer referral, services, and systems to enable patient-centered cancer care from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship. In addition, all cancer patients with more challenging cancer diagnoses, who might seek care in the tertiary academic medical setting-at DHMC in Lebanon, in Boston, or elsewhere-can benefit from being able to receive as much of this specialty care as possible in Manchester, and greatly reducing the need to travel to other locations.
What advantages exist for patients who go to this new site?
- Inpatient and outpatient medical oncology care in one convenient location
- Reduced logistical and travel inconveniences
- Second opinion consults and clinical trial enrollments in the community.
- Access to Norris Cotton Cancer Center Lebanon-based cancer specialists for consultation and follow up at the CMC location
Does this mean that patients in the area who currently travel to Lebanon will no longer need to do this?
Through our partnership with Catholic Medical Center, Norris Cotton Cancer Center can provide hospital-based oncology care and bring cancer specialists to its Manchester location to provide consultation and follow up care. Patients will be able to receive more care in Manchester and only travel to Lebanon for advanced procedures, surgeries, and clinical trials typically delivered in a tertiary academic medical center setting.
Will patients at this location be participating in clinical trials? If so, which ones?
Patients in Manchester can be considered for participation in any clinical trial currently open and available at Norris Cotton Cancer Center. For most of these trials, care can be delivered in Manchester. Some Phase I trials that require hospital admission for continuous monitoring and testing will be available only in Lebanon.
Is this any different from what is currently offered at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester?
By partnering with Catholic Medical Center, Norris Cotton Cancer Center patients in Manchester will have access to complete inpatient and outpatient oncology services in one convenient location. Additionally, we will be able to expand services to include interdisciplinary cancer clinics, which bring several cancer specialists together at one time and greatly improve patient-centered care.
Where will patients go for radiation treatments?
Norris Cotton Cancer Center oncologists will continue to refer patients needing radiation oncology to the Radiation Oncology Associates physician group, which utilizes existing radiation oncology facilities in Manchester at the Elliot Hospital, and in surrounding communities such as Concord (at the Payson Cancer Center) and Exeter (at Exeter Hospital).
How will Norris Cotton Cancer Center be staffed at its new location?
Care will be provided by Norris Cotton Cancer Center physicians and nurses, and managed by Dartmouth-Hitchcock administrators and staff, many of whom are currently working at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester location. Infusion Therapy, a department of Catholic Medical Center, will be managed by Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Additionally, ancillary staff such as dietitians, chaplains, social workers, and care managers will be provided by Catholic Medical Center, and the pharmacists will be provided by Norris Cotton Cancer Center.
Where will patients park?
In May 2007, CMC opened up a 750-space parking garage adjacent to the Notre Dame Pavilion. This garage allows for ample parking for all patients, family, and visitors to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center facility. Click here for driving directions and a map of the area.
Why consider Norris Cotton Cancer Center?
As one of only 41 designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States, the National Cancer Institute certifies that Norris Cotton Cancer Center:
Conducts significant research into the causes, development, prevention, and treatment of cancer.
Norris Cotton Cancer Center currently has 132 principal investigators working on 200+ research projects in cancer biology, causes, prevention and treatment. This means that our patients receive "evidence-based care" developed using the newest knowledge on cancer and how to treat it.
Translates new knowledge into new approaches and options for patients
At NCI centers, a primary focus is "translating" new discoveries from the laboratory into new and better ways to treat and prevent cancer.
This means that our physicians and scientists work in close partnership to develop new approaches that can make a difference for patients.
Develops new cancer therapies, and offers patients clinical trials of new therapies developed at our Center as well as other research centers around the country
Norris Cotton Cancer Center currently has 150+ clinical trials addressing a range of cancer diagnoses. Some of these trials are available only through Norris Cotton Cancer Center. This means that patients have access to the latest options and therapies for treating their disease.
Is committed to the community it serves through education and outreach.
Since the early 1980s, Norris Cotton Cancer Center has partnered with local hospitals to provide community-based care, education for providers as well as the public, and screening and cancer prevention programs. (e.g., community-based colon cancer screening, SunSafe community-based research).
Is reviewed and evaluated by the National Cancer Institute every five years, and reports on its work every year.
This means that patients in Manchester will have access, right in their community, to care from one of the top cancer centers in the country.
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