Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre is preparing to launch its Wellness on Wheels program at Stawell Hospital so patients across Ararat, Stawell and Horsham can have a more holistic treatment closer to home.

The launch program will initiall offer massage, yoga and art therapy.

This builds on Ballarat Health Services’ existing outreach work, offering chemotherapy treatment and radiotherapy consultations in Stawell.

“We find these (wellness) therapies are integral to helping manage a whole range of side effects for people undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy – anxiety, fatigue, nausea, pain, stress,” BRICC wellness co-ordinator Simone Noelker said. 

Wellness on Wheels aims to gradually integrate local therapists into the program.

Therapists will have orientation in Stawell next week with booking likely to open in mid-September.