Cancer care is now available closer to home for rural communities.
Boonah Hospital launched its tele-oncology service last month, offering local communities access to specialised cancer care without needing to travel to Ipswich Hospital or beyond.
Boonah resident Stuart Prout became the first patient to use the new service.
Instead of heading to Ipswich Hospital via ambulance for his regular immunotherapy treatment, Mr Prout jumped on his mobility scooter and was at Boonah Hospital in nine minutes.
Tele-oncology services will be delivered by Boonah Hospital clinical nurses Meagan Fritz and Rachael Kriel. They connect virtually with the specialist oncology team at Ipswich Hospital to ensure rural communities can access safe, quality care closer to home.
Boonah Hospital Nurse Unit Manager Justine Addis said tele-oncology was a game-changer for rural communities.
"We are thrilled to continue our expansion of services at Boonah Hospital that support care closer to home," Ms Addis said.
"Tele-oncology saves eligible patients time and travel costs and allows patients to stay closer to their support networks."
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are now available to eligible patients, which expands the types of infusions delivered at Boonah Hospital.
Mr Prout’s cancer journey began in 2024. He said he has travelled routinely for treatment but was pleased when he was offered to continue his current immunotherapy schedule at Boonah Hospital.
West Moreton Health now offers tele-oncology services at all of its rural hospitals in Boonah, Laidley, Esk and Gatton.
Tele-oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant Vicki Wright said since the launch of tele-oncology at our first rural hospital in May 2024, the team have supported more than 25 patients to receive care closer to home.
"The new service has saved these patients a combined total of more than 12,300 km in travel," Ms Wright said.
"Tele-oncology means we can continue to provide the best possible care for our patients while allowing them to focus on healing and staying more closely connected to the people and places that mean the most to them."