Cancer care is now available closer to home for Lockyer Valley residents.
The new Tele-Oncology service at Gatton Hospital is making treatment more comfortable for patients like Noel Balzer.
The Helidon man relied on ambulance transport for the two-hour round trip to Ipswich Hospital while managing fatigue and sickness. Now, he drives himself just 20 minutes to Gatton.
Ipswich Hospital Clinical Nurse Consultant Karlee Excell said about 35 per cent of West Moreton Health cancer patients live closer to a rural hospital.
"Long drives, nausea and fatigue can make cancer treatment feel overwhelming," Ms Excell said.
"Tele-Oncology is changing that by connecting rural patients with Ipswich Hospital cancer specialists."
Rural nurses are trained to monitor side effects and provide high-quality care throughout the cancer treatment.
At Gatton Hospital, Clinical Nurse Chelsey Reynolds leads the Tele-Oncology service.
She said Gatton Hospital was continuing to expand access to services for rural communities.
“Patients love having treatment locally, and demand is growing,” Ms Reynolds said.
“They feel more comfortable with family nearby and enjoy getting to know the local nursing team."
The Gatton Hospital Tele-Oncology service provides infusions, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and supportive therapies for eligible patients, with supervision by the Ipswich Hospital oncology team.
Patients visit Ipswich Hospital every three months for a check-up, however ongoing treatment continues in the rural hospital.
West Moreton Health Service Chief Executive Hannah Bloch said Tele-Oncology services are now available at Gatton, Laidley, and Esk hospitals.
"Along with Tele-Oncology and virtual care services, our rural hospitals offer a wide range of health care options to the local community," she said.
"Our experienced teams continue to expand the ways we provide care to patients where they live."
Ms Bloch said providing health care locally meant patients were more likely to attend appointments and follow-up care.
Patients are encouraged to speak with their specialist to see if Tele-Oncology services could make their care more accessible.