To achieve quality, safe cancer care close to home it was identified that a pivotal role was required at the sites oncologists visited. The central regional outreach service covers 561,824 Sq Km, 1.6 million people (2008), and involves twelve oncology staff specialists. In 2005 it was identified that the increasing complexity and frequency of treatment required a specialist role to support and educate patients to facilitate the patient’s journey. The regional Cancer Care Coordinator (CCC) works with the patient and their family to identify solutions to overcome barriers to access treatment.

Positions commenced in 2007, it was quickly identified that the expectations of a CCC role varied between metropolitan and outreach services. “Fly in, fly out” staff specialists face unique challenges with airlines: fog, floods, mechanical breakdowns, baggage handlers, “bird strike” and flight delays. Any form of delay requires explanations, negotiations, and diffusing stressed and anxious patients and families, many of whom have travelled and lost income to attend their appointment.

To manage the impact of events outside of anyone’s control the CCC roles require a lateral approach to provide the patient with alternative solutions to their specialist care. Mostly commonly the next available clinic for appointments is on average a month away, however patient shuffle board impacts on all staff and subsequent clinics. The one clinic of forty patients can impact on up to 120 patients that the CCC role triages and oversees.

The roles are now viewed as pivotal to the success of cancer care service delivery in central regional outreach. Staff specialists, general practitioners, allied health and nursing colleagues identify this role as integral to the delivery of cancer care.