What this program does...

The Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program (LDAP) is an innovative approach designed to shorten wait times for patients in the Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand and Brant communities with suspected cancer of the lung.  The goal of the program is to reduce the worry and the wait time for suspicion of cancer to diagnosis and treatment.  The program offers a coordinated approach to assessing and diagnosing patients and provides necessary physical and emotional support. There are three hospitals that participate in the LDAP these are St. Josephs Healthcare Hamilton, Niagara Health and Brant Community Health Care system.

Once a patient is diagnosed with lung cancer, the care team collaborates with other healthcare specialists such as dietitians, pharmacists, occupational therapists, social workers and physiotherapists to determine the best course of treatment.  The nurse navigator is the primary point of contact and provides support and guidance to patients as they receive treatment.

All referrals are made to a central fax line where a nurse will call the patient within 48 hours of referral. The Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program (LDAP) coordinates all tests required to make a diagnosis or rule out lung cancer.

The LDAP will coordinate and arrange for all diagnostic tests (which may include CT scans, Pet scans, Pulmonary Function tests and Echocardiogram) and provides continuous physical and emotional support.

How this program helps...

• All tests and appointments are coordinated in the facility closest to the patient’s home
• Ongoing support throughout the diagnostic process from members of the health care team
• A diagnosis of cancer is made or ruled out in a timely fashion
• Improved access to information and resources for patients, families and referring healthcare providers

Your Care Team

Nurse Navigator, LDAP Clerical, Thoracic Surgeons, and Respirologist.

Contact

Firestone Ambulatory Clinic
50 Charlton Ave East
Hamilton, ON

Tel: 905-521-1155 Ext. 35941
or 1-877-801-4822
Fax 905-540-6581 or 1-877-803-4422

Referral Process

Patients, family doctors, healthcare providers, and specialists can complete a referral by downloading the referral form here.

Referrals can also be made by calling or sending a fax to the LDAP clinic (contact info provided above).

We are now accepting electronic external referrals through Ocean eReferral!

Electronic referrals (through Ocean eReferral) can be sent directly from most EMRs. We can be found on the Healthmap by searching ‘LDAP’, ‘Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program’, or ‘St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’. Click HERE to view the healthmap.

New to Ocean eReferral? The team at the eHealth Centre of Excellent is here to help. Please visit their website and click the ‘get started’ button: eReferral - eHealth Centre of Excellence

Preparing for Your Visit

Please bring a copy of all imaging (i.e. CT scan) on a disc to your first appointment and a list of all medications that you are currently taking.

Please contact the diagnostic imaging department where you had the CT scan done to obtain a copy before your first appointment.

We ask that you do not bring any valuables with you as the hospital cannot be responsible for lost or stolen personal items. 

Maps and Directions

Entering through the Charlton St. main entrance, the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health (FIRH) is located to the right on the main floor of the Juravinski Innovation Tower.

Please see the following detailed map of the Hospital for further reference.

Registration Procedures

Please enter the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health (FIRH) level 1, take a number and please be seated until your number is called.  FIRH is located in the Juravinski Innovation Tower, level 1 close to the main lobby and Tim Horton’s.

After Your Visit

If you have any questions after your visit, please contact at Tel 905-521-1155 x 35941.

If you are interested in learning more about peer support please go to the Canadian Cancer Society website for more information or speak to the nurse navigator.

The Canadian Cancer Society’s website can be accessed here.

If you require assistance with driving to your appointments, please contact your local Canadian Cancer Society for more information at 1-888-939-3333 or visit their website http://www.cancer.ca/en/support-and-services/support-services/transportation-on/?region=on&acc=true.

To visit Cancer Care Ontario, please go to https://www.cancercare.on.ca/cms/one.aspx?objectId=8133&contextId=1377.