Cancer Program Updates - Navigation, Referral and Eligibility

Oncology Patient Navigation Program

The Oncology Patient Navigation Program (OPNP) at London Health Sciences Centre is a fully virtual regional program that supports patients with a suspicion of cancer through diagnostic navigation across the South West Region. Physicians and nurse practitioners can refer eligible patients using one common referral form, and OPNP helps coordinate triage, specialist connection, staging, and follow-up across six supported disease-site teams.

Breast Surgery Referral Pathway

St. Joseph’s Health Care London reminds healthcare providers of the established regional referral pathway for patients requiring breast surgery consultation and management. Local breast surgeons will provide initial assessment, diagnostic workup and treatment planning, and will coordinate referrals to specialized services in London when complex care or tertiary expertise is required.

Eligibility for hereditary testing expanded

The Ontario Health Provincial Genetics Program has expanded hereditary cancer testing eligibility for several types of cancer, including breast, prostate, colorectal, endometrial and biliary tract cancers. Eligible patients may now be offered a comprehensive 40-gene hereditary cancer panel following genetic counselling. Read the update for full eligibility criteria, referral details and current wait times.

Prenatal Screening Ontario offers antibody genotyping

Prenatal Screening Ontario offers OHIP covered fetal RH and antibody genotyping for all pregnant women who are RH negative test or who test positive for antibodies. This will help determine who needs Rhogam/WinRho and who is at risk for hemolytic disease on the newborn (HDN).

Tests are done at outpatient labs in the community and requisitions and a handout for algorithm information can be found here.

Primary Care EMR Training Sessions

The Middlesex London Ontario Health Team, in partnership with the Thames Valley Family Health Team and the MLPCN, is offering Clinician 101 and Medical Office Assistant 101 Accuro and Telus PS Suites Primary Care EMR training. You can view the available dates and times and register here.

In Case You Missed It

Children's Hospital Enteral Feeding Clinic Fax Number Change

The Paediatric Enteral Feeding Clinic at London Health Sciences Centre has updated its referral fax number for patients with surgically implanted feeding tubes. Effective Sept. 29 the new number is 519-937-0599. Faxes sent to the previous number will be redirected temporarily during the transition period of two weeks.

If providers need to contact to confirm receipt of urgent faxes or have questions, they can email enteral_feeding_clinic@lhsc.on.ca or call 519-685-8500 ext. 50231.

Paediatric HEAL Program changing to E-Fax

The Paediatric HEAL Program at London Health Sciences Centre is making referrals easier with its transition to E-Fax. Referrals can now be sent to 519-433-9825; however, the current fax number will remain active and may still be used. Primary care offices will be advised of the new number as referrals are received.

Primary Care Upskilling Opportunities for Registered Nurses

Four post-secondary institutions, including Western University, are offering opportunities for registered nurses (RN) to strengthen primary care competencies, work to full scope of practice, and enhance access to team-based care across Ontario.

The Ministry of Health is investing up to $4.53M in the Primary Care Upskilling Program, part of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan. Learn more about the opportunities.

Mentorship Program for Nurse Pracititioners

The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario is offering mentorship opportunities to its members. To learn more and register, please complete the intake form. 

Events

2026 MLPCN Symposium: Connected in Care Nov. 4

Primary care is evolving every day and the MLPCN is bringing together family physicians, nurse practitioners, and primary care leaders for a day of connection, learning and collaboration.

The 2026 MLPCN Symposium: Connected in Care is scheduled for Nov. 4 to explore access, attachment, team-based care, primary care transformation and local innovations across our region.

Registration is now open, so be sure to reserve your spot for a day of keynote speakers, panel discussions, local innovation showcases and interactive conversations around primary care.  

This communication is shared for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific clinic or service.

For a list of upcoming events visit our Events page for all things primary care!