GenesisCare brings cancer care closer to home with new Bundaberg bus shuttle service
Bundaberg, Queensland – To coincide with World Cancer Day, local cancer care provider GenesisCare has launched a complimentary bus service for its patients in Bundaberg and surrounding towns requiring travel support during potentially life-saving treatment.
The bus shuttle service provides free transportation for patients undergoing radiation therapy treatment at GenesisCare and runs from the town centre to Gin Gin, Childers and suburbs on the way.
The launch of the new bus service coincides with World Cancer Day, celebrated annually on 4 February. The 2022 theme “Closing the Care Gap” focuses on raising awareness of the equity gap that affects many individuals and communities, potentially costing the lives of those impacted by cancer.
GenesisCare has opened the new service to minimise the financial and psychological burdens associated with travelling for treatment, particularly for patients in more remote parts of the region who often have to travel more than 150KM daily for radiation therapy.
GenesisCare Centre Leader, Lyn Tate, said: “Cancer patients in regional and remote areas often turn down treatment due to access barriers associated with travel and accommodation.”
“At our centres in Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast, we have made huge strides in closing the care gap and improving patient outcomes, however access barriers do continue to persist for residents in more remote areas of Regional Queensland.”
“It is very timely for us to be here announcing this new service on World Cancer Day which this year focuses on the steps and actions we can all take to close the care gap for cancer patients in Australia and across the globe,” said Ms Tate.
Gin Gin resident, Barbara Chapman, who was one of the first patients to access the new service, said: “Having the bus service has just been wonderful, it’s taken the pressure off myself and my husband and the bus drivers, Ken and Fred, just look after you so well.”
“I do have slight panic attacks, driving myself home after treatment, it can be difficult. It is quite a trip from Bundaberg to Gin Gin and the treatments make you very tired as well, I have nodded off a few times in the passenger seat on the way home,” said Ms Chapman.
GenesisCare Centre Leader, Lyn Tate, said: “Local Bundaberg residents, Fred Anderson and Ken Ind are our current bus drivers. They share the working week to ensure that we can service our outlying areas and ensure patients reach our centre for their treatments.”
“The patients are lovely and are always so happy to see you. The lovely Barbara brought me a sandwich on her last day of treatment. It’s little things like that, you know? Best job I’ve ever had,” said Bundaberg local and Bus Driver, Ken Ind.
“This is my first time doing patient transport – I’ve worked in a meatworks for 45 years before this. I’m supposed to be retired, but I love it,” said Mr Ind.
“It’s rewarding to support people through their journey. It makes a big difference, particularly for those patients in regional areas,” said Mr Ind.
