Cancer care services boosted on Bribie Island

The new RBWH Centre Cancer Care Service at Bribie Island Satellite Health Centre welcomed its first patients on Wednesday 12 March, marking a major step forward in advancing cancer healthcare in the region.

The new six-chair specialist outpatient service provides low risk chemotherapy, blood product support and therapy treatments for patients residing in the Bribie Island region and has the capacity to treat up to 70 patients every week.

Nurse Unit Manager Justine Leach said that the ability to provide specialised care to people who live just kilometres from the facility provides huge benefits.

“The whole premise of the Satellite Health Centres is to improve access to care. Many of our patients previously received cancer care at RBWH or North Lakes, which can be a tiring journey for patients living in the Moreton region,” Justine said.

“The convenient location of this service certainly removes the obstacles of long journeys, which helps to improve a patient’s psychological wellbeing as they are less stressed or worried.”

The service’s first patient Sandra, said the experience of care she received on her first day at Bribie was welcoming and friendly.

“I’m a Bribie Island resident and it’s fantastic to have the care so close to home. The space is modern and welcoming, and dedicated to patients like me. It’s also great that some of the staff from North Lakes, who are familiar with my care, now also work at Bribie,” she said.

The onsite cancer care team includes experienced cancer care nurses, specialist cancer care pharmacists and support staff. As a nurse-delivered service, medical staff do not attend onsite site. Instead patients consult with their specialists via a telehealth option either at home using their smart phone or computer, or via a computer at the facility if they prefer.

“Many patients are comfortable using the telehealth option to speak to their haematologist or medical oncologist. It’s a great option because, they still receive the same personalised care, but with added convenience of a face-to-face online meeting,” Justine said.

“They simply log into the call, where they will be admitted into a virtual wait room where all the usual admission questions will be asked. When this is done, the doctor joins them online for the consultation.”

RBWH Cancer Care Services Nursing Director Michael Smith said that the adoption of health information technologies such as the telehealth provides numerous opportunities for improving and transforming cancer care.

“With patients being able to access medical appointments virtually, it’s led to the development of a new nurse-directed model of care at Bribie, where nurses are the primary provider of care for the patient, bringing their specialist experience and knowledge to provide personalised care in a bespoke cancer care facility,” Michael said.

“Management of cancer symptoms and chemotherapy-related side effects sits within the core skillset of cancer nurses, particularly those working within the outpatient settings.

“Together with a focus on patient and carer support and education, our nursing team provides an accessible and informed service, which works with, and supports, the cancer care medical team and pharmacists to deliver a coordinated and seamless care experience.

“The opening of the Bribie service is pivotal to the community who needs it and will greatly contribute to patient outcomes.”

Bribie Island Satellite Health Centre – Cancer Care Services

Location: 103 First Avenue Bongaree QLD 450
Phone: (07) 3410 2800
Open: Monday-Friday 8.00am-4.30pm
To find out how to access this service please visit the website.