A new Transport to Treatment service was launched in Armidale on Tuesday, providing assistance to transport disadvantaged people affected by cancer who need help getting to treatment.
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The new service is being provided by Cancer Council NSW in recognition of the lack of transport needs for cancer patients. Transport to Treatment in Armidale will transport local patients to and from their cancer treatment appointments and any follow up appointments relating to their treatment.
This service is purely there for cancer patients, whether they are coming into the hospitals to the oncology areas for treatment, radiation treatment, visiting a specialist, x-rays or just visiting their GP to discuss how they're travelling.
- Paul Hobson
Cancer Council NSW New England Community programs coordinator Paul Hobson said the Armidale service started just prior to Christmas and had done just over 10,000 kilometres of travel to date.
"We've been working towards it for some time with the upgrade of the Armidale hospital oncology facilities some years ago. We've had some need at different times, but the demand has just been growing with a lot of patients now coming down to Tamworth as well as a hub for treatment for people across New England and the north west," Mr Hobson said.
"This service is purely there for cancer patients, whether they are coming into the hospitals to the oncology areas for treatment, radiation treatment, visiting a specialist, x-rays or just visiting their GP to discuss how they're travelling.
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"The new Transport to Treatment service in Armidale will reduce the financial and emotional burden of cancer by providing free transport to people affected by cancer who have no transport alternatives to get to their treatment."
Mr Hobson said Cancer Council knew that cancer treatment usually occurred over an extended period of time and required repeated attendance at facilities, which may be difficult for disadvantaged patients and their carers to get to.
"This new Transport to Treatment service also takes into carers into account and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our community fundraisers through events like Stars of Armidale and Relay For Life," he said.
"We'd also like to thank Regional Australia Bank for funds made available through their Community Partnership Program that help us support people affected by cancer."
For booking enquires and more information on the Transport to Treatment service in Armidale, please call 6763 0900.
