20 tips for patients to start the year strong at Peter Mac
07 January 2025
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on your physical and mental wellbeing and to put some strategies in place to make things better or easier for yourself in 2025.
To help you kick off the year with ease, we’ve put together 20 simple, practical ideas to start the year strong and get the assistance you may need.
- Sign up to Health Hub (or update your details): Health Hub is Peter Mac’s patient portal – it is our secure mobile app and a website that connects you to important information about your care and treatment at Peter Mac. Sign up now.
- Get help and ask questions: it’s important that you’re armed with the right information and that all your questions are addressed. There are several ways you can do this:
- The Patient and Carer Support Service is located at Level 2D at the Peter Mac Melbourne campus in Parkville and is open weekdays 10am to 3pm. You can also contact the service by email at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange a phone call. - Fill a question prompt sheet you can take with you to your next appointment as part of our Your Thoughts Matter Program. This will help you remember everything you need to ask your care team.
- Visit the Wellbeing Centre: Located on level one at the Melbourne campus, the Wellbeing Centre is a welcoming and quiet space for patients, carers and visitors to relax or get support and information. Find out more.
- Find out about clinical trials: Explore opportunities to participate in relevant clinical trials at Peter Mac. Find information at the link or discuss with your oncologist or care team.
- Discuss symptom management: Discuss with your care team to address any pain, fatigue, or other side-effects you may have had, no matter how minor – it may help to write these down in a diary or journal to make them easier to recall.
- Review your nutrition plan: The CanEat Pathway is a great place for people with cancer and their carers to access nutrition advice and practical tips. You can also speak with your care team if you think you could benefit from a consultation with a dietitian, and they can assist with a referral and more information.
- Review your exercise program: Exercise has been shown to offer massive benefits for people undergoing cancer treatment. You can find many helpful resources here, or you can join the next exercise session via the Wellbeing Centre or ask your treatment team for a referral to the physiotherapy and exercise physiology team.
- Attend education sessions: Participate in sessions on lymphoedema, physical activity, mindfulness, carer’s support and more. Check the Wellbeing Centre calendar for upcoming sessions.
- Access Psychosocial Oncology services: Connect with Peter Mac’s psycho-social oncology teamfor emotional and mental health support. You can ask any member of your treating team for a referral. You can also use the helpful online tool Cancer Mind Care for helpful mental health support.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Attend mindfulness or relaxation classes or look up some guided meditation online via apps like Headspace or Calm. Peter Mac’s Spiritual Care team offers daily reflections and twice weekly meditation sessions onsite at Peter Mac Melbourne.
- Start a journal: Reflect on your experiences, goals, and feelings. This may also be helpful so that you can look back to see how far you’ve come and to list your daily gratitude. Find some writing inspiration here.
- Create a comfort kit: Include items like books, music, games, warm socks and snacks that bring you can bring with you to your treatment appointments. You can find some inspiration here.
- Join a support group: Participate in peer support groups tailored to your cancer type or situation (visit your cancer type via the website for more information). The Wellbeing Centre and Patient and Carer Support Service can provide information on available groups.
- Book Some Pet Therapy: Lort Smith provides pet therapy at Peter Mac Melbourne five days per week. If you’re an inpatient or coming in for chemotherapy or radiation therapy, you can book a doggy visit via our Volunteer Services department.
- Explore Art and Music Therapy: Take part in creative therapy programs offered through the Wellbeing Centre, including Art Therapy. You can also speak with your care team about a referral to Music Therapy.
- Learn More About Cancer: Cancer School is a place for you to learn about cancer and to help you better understand and respond to the challenges faced when living with a cancer diagnosis. There are videos and interactive guides on a large range of topics.
- Give Us Feedback: Peter Mac is always striving to improve your experience, so if you have some feedback, please let us know via the Real-time patient feedback forms.
- Get Some Legal Advice: Our free patient legal service provides advice in many areas including family law, fines and infringements, housing problems and criminal law. You can book a session with a lawyer here.
- Create or Update Your Advance Care Plan: Advance care planning means to think, plan, and write down your wishes for your future health care. It’s important for everyone to have a plan in place, you can find more information here.
- Set Personal Goals: Work with your care team to set realistic goals for the year, celebrating small wins along the way. Put aside a page in the front of your journal or diary to list your goals.