Southern Downs oncology patients spared long trip as new Warwick clinic opens

Cancer patients in the Southern Downs have welcomed a new oncology clinic at Warwick Hospital that eliminates stressful two-hour round trips to Toowoomba.

Nurses Karen Trotman and Robyn Cameron, and Dr Ben Watson at the new oncology clinic based at Warwick Hospital. Photo: Supplied

Southern Downs oncology patients will no longer need to make the two-hour round trip to Toowoomba, with a new clinic offering in-person appointments.

The new service is set to help reduce the stress on patients and families of having to make multiple trips into the city.

Warwick Hospital nurse unit manager, ambulatory care and perioperative service Robyn Cameron said the clinic had recently started accepting new patients and has already received positive feedback.

“They absolutely love it, they enjoy the connection with the doctor at Warwick,” Ms Cameron said.

“They love the nursing team, and they also like that they can pop up to Warwick Hospital and have their appointment and be home within half an hour.”

Ms Cameron said the new clinic was also helping staff build strong relationships with their patients, allowing them to feel confident they can contact the team any day of the week for further help.

Clinical director of medical oncology Dr Benjamin Watson said the service would also help boost the quality of care to patients in Warwick.

“It’s great to see patients in person. I can assess them more comprehensively and have a better rapport as well,” Dr Watson said.

“When patients are more comfortable, it’s easier to decide on treatments together as well.”

To access the clinic, patients are referred through the Queensland Health referral process and are then allocated an appointment on a triage basis.

Originally published as Southern Downs oncology patients spared long trip as new Warwick clinic opens