Helping Gippslanders find their way through cancer care

September 9, 2026

For people facing a cancer diagnosis, navigating appointments, referrals, treatment and support services can be overwhelming.

Latrobe Regional Health has received funding from a Cancer Australia equity grant program to work with the community to help improve this challenging time for Gippslanders with a cancer diagnosis, and their carers.

As part of this program LRH has introduced dedicated Cancer Patient Navigators to provide patients and families with a consistent point of contact in their cancer journey

The LRH cancer navigators are on hand to make that journey easier by helping patients and families to connect to the right services at the right time.

This includes working with patients and healthcare teams to help coordinate care, appointments, referrals, and facilitate specialist services.

LRH Oncology Nurse Unit Manager Emily Capaldo said having someone to help patients navigate the health system could make a significant difference in what can be an uncertain time for patients.

“A cancer diagnosis can bring a huge amount of information, appointments and decisions at a time when people are already dealing with so much,” Emily said.

“Patients should know they don’t have to navigate their cancer journey alone. Our navigators are a consistent point of contact to help people understand what happens next.”

The navigators can support people at different stages of their cancer journey, from diagnosis, treatment, through to helping to access ongoing care and support.

The service also provides a dedicated point of contact for GPs to support patients with a suspected cancer diagnosis.

The navigators can advise GPs about referral pathways, help connect patients with appropriate clinical expertise and support coordinated progression to the next stage of care.

LRH Director of Cancer Services, Clinical Haematologist Associate Professor Tricia Wright said the Cancer Australia grant will allow LRH to respond to two challenging situations, as heard from community feedback.

“The first is the enormous anxiety people experience while waiting for a clear cancer diagnosis, including how difficult it can be to navigate the health system,” she said.

“The second is that, after a diagnosis, some people must travel to metropolitan centres for critical parts of their cancer treatment that can’t be provided in regional centres, such as stem cell transplantation.

“So, this program will provide immediate and practical support so that patients and carers can focus entirely on their health and recovery.”

The Cancer Patient Navigator service is part of LRH’s commitment to improving theexperience of people affected by cancer in Gippsland.