CCC House

About CCC House
The National Cancer Institute, Maharagama (NCI) is the only tertiary referral centre dedicated for treatment of all types of cancers in Sri Lanka. It was established in 1958 with a staff of less than 10 medical officers. Presently, the specialist edical consultant team consists of eight medical oncologists, two surgeons, a gynaecologist, anaesthetist, haematologist, pathologist, microbiologist, radiologist, physician and a paediatrician. Furthermore, over 80 medical officers assist the consultants to manage the relevant departments.

Each year, the numbers of patients seeking treatment for various types of cancers have increased. At present there are 50 inpatients and approx. 500 attend the outpatient clinics daily. The bed strength of the hospital is 600 and is nsufficient to provide a bed for all resident patients.

Background

With the current numbers of in and outpatients at the NCI, the wards are overcrowded with many floor patients. Sadly, this has resulted in, inferior quality of care with all categories of services (accommodation, meals, medical and sanitary) provided to the patients being under severe stress and over consumed. Under these circumstances, the medical and the nursing staff cannot execute their functions to sustain a good quality of care to the patient. The overcrowding always poses a risk especially to the severely sick, as sustained monitoring, observation and vigilance cannot be guaranteed for these patients.

The practice of modern medicine has changed the way in which diseases are managed where inpatient facilities are provided for the neediest patients and outpatients are managed in an environment integrated with hospital and home care.

Justification

In the modern context,  many cancer treatment methods like radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be administered on an outpatient basis where patients visit the hospital from their homes on a daily basis. Due to its centralised location this ideal system cannot be practiced at the NCI as it caters to patients from all parts of the country. Majority are forced to reside in the hospital for their treatment due to a lack of lodging facilities available close to the hospital. Further, as cancer patients are immune-compromised, they are vulnerable to hospital acquired contagious diseases.

This issue has demanded the need for establishing a transit home (CCC House) to accommodate these cancer outpatients and their careers. A transit home is a novel concept adapted in many modern cancer hospitals in the world.

The transit home care is defined as an integrated service with a dual function of hospital care and home care. This is essentially reserved for patients who require outpatient treatment. They do not need intensive supervision; however patients should have quick access to medical care when required. This type of accommodation is ideal for patients undergoing radiotherapy and day.

The CCC House will have capacity for 140 outpatients and 30 carers, and hence will reduce by this number the outpatients who are currently in the hospital wards. The CCC House will not only give a comfortable bed for those patients forced  to sleep in corridors of the hospital (floor patients), but will also allow the medical staff to focus on the newly admitted and critically ill patients. The CCC House will therefore improve the overall well being and care given to inpatients as well as outpatients. Additionally the carers of 30 outpatient children will also have a comfortable bed and a place to rest.

Floor Patients at Maharagama

The CCC House will also improve the psycho-social environment for the outpatient as well as the carers making recovery more ideal in a homely environment. The family and relatives will also have easier access to the outpatients at the transit home, hence reducing the overall visitor traffic in the hospital wards. The reduction of visitor traffic in the hospital may also help to reduce the chances of immune-compromised patients being subject to general sickness.

The transit home will be funded by the CCC Foundation Inc., a not for profit charitable organisation based in Australia and Sri Lanka. The ongoing maintenance costs will also be funded through private donations and sponsorships and hence freeing up government funds to focus on medical treatment and facilities at the hospital.

Admission

Admission to the CCC House

The admissions will be predominantly for underprivileged outpatients and their carers. It will be for those patients living far from the Maharagama hospital and may not be able to travel due to their condition or for economical reasons. Criteria for admission will be determined by a Management Committee consisting of members of the CCC Foundation Committee and NCI staff.

Medication and Treatment

The NCI Maharagama will hold full responsibility to provide medical and any emergency treatment to the outpatients at the transit home if required. This will include medical staff, medications and associated services. An experienced house warden will be residing in the transit home providing twenty-four hour service. The warden will act as a link between the transit home and the hospital.

Projects

CCC House ongoing Management and Maintenance

The CCC House once constructed will be handed over to the NCI, Maharagama. A management committee consisting of members of the CCC Foundation committee, NCI administration and medical team will be formed to address the ongoing management and maintenance of the transit home. The management committee will develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure all requirements for the running and maintenance of the transit home is addressed. Outpatient admission, meals provision, sanitary requirements, supervision, contractor management, building maintenance etc will have a SOP and managed by the committee.

CCC Foundation will set up a CCC House trust fund to ensure ongoing funding for the upkeep of the CCC House. The CCC House sponsors of rooms, cubicles and general areas will be given an opportunity to support the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of their sponsored areas.

Funding & Accountability

The CCC Foundation Inc. will be fully accountable for the CCC House project. The project will be totally funded by the CCC Foundation Inc. through donations and sponsorships from individuals and companies. The CCC will provide the opportunity for individuals and companies to sponsor parts of the project with more details set out in the attached pledge form. The cost of the project is SLR. 130 Million and will be completed in two phases (Phase 01 – SLR. 70 Million & Phase 02 – SLR.60 Million).

The CCC Committee will appoint a  project architect and will work in collaboration with NCI Maharagama to ensure all building and outpatient requirements are adhered to. The project will be tendered out to at least four reputable  construction companies. The CCC Committee has appointed Ernst & Young as their auditor to ensure all funds and processes are managed to the highest requirement and that there is transparency to all CCC Foundation stakeholders.

Project timing  Project timing

The CCC House is an immediate requirement for the hospital to ensure it provides the best possible facilities and treatment to the patients. The following schedule is an estimated summary of the timing for the various steps in the preparation and construction of the CCC House.

How to Sponsor

Sponsor a Child’s Room for  Sponsor Rs. 1 Million

You are encouraged to sponsor a room which consist of two beds, one for the child and one for the carer . Each room will have cupboard space, table and chairs and a vanity basin. The entrance to each sponsored room will carry a plaque with the sponsors name and logo. A similar  plaque will also be placed at the foyer entrance.

Sponsor an Adult Cubicle for  Sponsor Rs. 0.6 Million

You are encouraged to sponsor an adult cubicle which consist of a bed, cupboard space and curtains for privacy. The entrance to each sponsored adult cubicle will carry a plaque with the sponsors name and logo. A similar  plaque will also be placed at the foyer entrance.

Sponsor the Fixtures and Fittings Sponsor

Your kind donation how big or small will assist in the purchase of fixtures and fittings. Your donation will go towards common areas, lift, white goods, furniture etc.  Names of donors pledging greater than Rs. 100,000 will be placed on a plaque at the foyer entrance of the CCC House.

As part of our ongoing commitment, our sponsors will have an opportunity for ongoing maintenance of its sponsored area if they wish to d o so.