Wimmera Cancer Centre praised for providing holistic support and care for patients

Patients have praised the centre, which opened in February, for its supportive and informative services and for serving as a welcoming space with therapeutic music, such as a regular harpist.

Cancer nurse practitioner Carmel O'Kane, during an information session in Horsham on Friday, detailed the work the staff at the centre had provided to patients

She said while clinicians could help with patients' medical treatment, staff at the centre had a whole-of-wellbeing approach to patient care during and after their treatment.

"We get down to that nitty gritty in a more personal way," she said.

Ms O'Kane said one of the centre's priorities was consulting with cancer patients to assess the type of care provided by medical specialists to improve future services.

"It's been an incredibly successful project that we'll continue doing," she said.

She said the centre also offered a free exercise program for patients which introduces them to an exercise physiologist and a personalised program.

Patients attend an eight-week program of hour-long group exercise sessions followed by a meal and telehealth education seminar on physical activity and healthy eating.

"We know that exercise is incredibly useful in all types of cancer care,' Ms O'Kane said. "It can help reduce your risk of getting cancer and when you have cancer it can help improve your survival."

She said future initiatives included a mini harp for patients to play, a collaboration with Des Lardner's Organic and cancer massages.

The centre also arranges telehealth for specialist appointments if no procedure was required, which Ms O'Kane said is an important for reducing the impact of travel.

"With 100 consults we save the same kilometres as if someone drove four times around Australia," she said.

"Also, when we audited the patients they said it was better than face-to-face because they had nurse beside them who could follow up on everything."

Max Judd, who has participated in the exercise sessions, said he found the program beneficial and praised the staff for their attention to individual needs.

"If anyone ever gets the opportunity to do this course, jump at it, because it's very well worthwhile," he said.

A Ballarat Health Services spokesperson acknowledged there was a gap in service provision for patients west of their facility.

"There are some imaging, diagnostics and surgery procedures that as yet are unavailable in Horsham and people may need to travel to Ballarat for these on occasion," the spokesperson said.

Horsham cancer support groups are looking to technology for solutions to finding local assistance.

Health apps such as Gather My Crew are providing ways to co-ordinate the care work of friends and family through an online help roster.

Founder and chief executive of Gather My Crew, Dr Susan Palmer, presented an information session about the app at a cancer and wellness forum at the Wimmera Cancer Centre last week.

She said the app, available free of charge, provided an opportunity to "activate communities of support around vulnerable people".

"People are not always very good at asking for or providing the kind of assistance that is actually needed," she said.

There was furious nodding from the audience as she said the influx of flowers patients received came "out of love", but there was a need for goodwill to be redirected.

"We want to turn those flowers into transport, or meals, or dropping off bread and milk," she said.

She acknowledged older patients might not have the technical skills to use the app but because it was online, loved ones who were further away could set up the roster.

Dr Palmer said because of her background in cancer, the majority of people using the app were cancer patients and their families - but noted it could be used by anyone in crisis.

Cancer patient Max Judd, one of the organisers of the Wimmera prostate cancer support group, said he hadn't heard of the service but was keen to give it a go.

"The idea is excellent," he said. "I've already asked her whether she can come and speak to our group."

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