A Service Level Agreement is in the process of being drawn up between Central West Hospital and Health Service (CWHHS) and Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS). Funding has been secured by Central West for four (4) nursing staff to attend the RBWH for a week of intense training in addition to the required Anti Neoplastic Drug Administration Course that is self-directed via i-Learn. Monthly meetings between a team at RBWH and CWHHS have been set to discuss progress and ensure good communication between sites. Recommended Cytotoxic training for all CWHHS staff has been presented at the recent Learning and Development meeting and will be rolled out using the Learning Management System and supported by Centralised Integrated Regional Cancer Services (CIRCS). Recommended updated procedures in relation to but not limited to cytotoxic waste, administration or oral chemotherapy, appropriate PPE and management of febrile neutropenia is in the process of being introduced to CWHHS.
Remote Chemotherapy Service - Tele-chemo
Initiative Type
Service Improvement
Status
Sustained
Added
19 March 2019
Last updated
07 November 2023
Summary
Key dates
Oct 2017
Jun 2018
Implementation sites
Central West HHS - Longreach Hospital, Metro North HHS – Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Partnerships
Telehealth Support Unit, Healthcare Improvement Unit, Clinical Excellence Queensland
Aim
- Increase access to low risk chemotherapy treatment services at a hospital facility closer to home for Central West Hospital and Health Service (CWHHS) cancer patients.
- Increase access to specialist medical oncology services and support via telehealth services.
- Increase scope of cancer care practice for rural medical, nursing and allied health workforce.
Benefits
- Improved patient centred care.
- Local access to specialised services for oncology patients.
- Reduced emotional and financial cost of travel and accommodation for CWHHS and patients.
- Increased staff training and education in cytotoxic management, resulting in reduced clinical isolation.
Background
Within CWHSS there is an expediential growth in the number of community member receiving or recovering from chemotherapy treatments and being provided medical oncology support. In 2011-2012 15 people were identified as receiving chemotherapy treatment outside the district with an increase to 55 in 2016-2017. The specialist services are located in regional cancer centres, primarily based on the Queensland coast, resulting in long distance travel and isolation from family and community for periods of time for any Central West cancer patient.