Patients from the Torres Strait and Cape York undergoing treatment for cancer will receive additional support through their healthcare journey after the launch of a joint project between Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) and Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan Aboriginal Corporation.
The new Cancer Care Coordination Service is designed to provide culturally safe and appropriate care social and emotional wellbeing care to those undergoing treatment.
It has been announced after the two organisations were successfully awarded an $880,000 grant over three years from Cancer Australia.
TCHHS Chief Executive Rex O’Rourke said the service would support patients who were undergoing cancer treatment in Cairns, had returned to their home communities or needed to travel to other facilities to receive treatment.
“Navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be incredibly challenging for any person and their family,” he said.
“The aim of this service is to offer person-centred, culturally appropriate care closer to home, empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across their cancer journey, whether that be prevention and early detection, through to treatment, survivorship and palliative care.
“We have launched this service with key goals to increase the number of patient referrals and follow-ups and increase community engagement in screening, which will assist in reducing hospital admissions and emergency presentations.”
Mookai Rosie Chief Executive Officer Theresa Simpson said their role would be to support patients who travelled from the Torres and Cape region to be treated in Cairns.
“We know how onerous and overwhelming it can be for a patient from the Torres Strait, Cape York or the Northern Peninsula Area to leave their home community and be required to stay in Cairns or other larger centres to receive treatment,” she said.
“Our organisation will be able to deliver social and emotional wellbeing care to these patients through our dedicated and experienced social work team.
“Our organisation is committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families who require support with their social and mental health.
“Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be life-changing and we want to make sure these patients feel supported and understood while they navigate their health journey in a potentially unfamiliar environment.”
Proud Aboriginal woman Melissa Gibson, who is from Cooktown, was diagnosed with lung and gastrointestinal cancer in 2023 and said additional support through the cancer journey was vital.
She has undergone surgery and has regular appointments with the oncology team in Cairns.
While sadly she has a terminal diagnosis, her cancer is currently stable, and she is passionate about ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are better prepared if they face a cancer journey.
“When I was diagnosed, I was shocked and had no idea what to expect,” she said.
“All of the staff in Cooktown, the nurse navigators and Cairns Hospital have been amazing.
“I think any extra support you can get from people who understand our culture is going to be so helpful because it can be scary to leave community and come to Cairns, especially for older people.
“It is also very important for people in the communities to understand more about the cancer risk factors, what they should be checking for and when to go to their clinic for a check-up.
“This new service is going to be a great support for a lot of people in our communities.”