Oral chemotherapy nurse: A trial position at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH), Perth, Western Australia

This article describes the development of an oral chemotherapy nurse role and patient support materials in the Department of Medical Oncology at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH), Perth, Western Australia, and includes a short literature review. The objectives of the oral chemotherapy nurse role were to: identify areas of patient need, develop processes to support patient safety and quality of care during treatment with oral chemotherapy medications for cancer (oral chemotherapy), and collect resources to support patient safety and quality of care during treatment with oral chemotherapy. The oral chemotherapy nurse undertook two quality improvement projects, developed a system to educate, support and follow up patients with glioblastoma (GBM) treated with combined chemo-radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, undertook nurse education and was involved as the author of the draft oral chemotherapy policy at SCGH. Although this position was not made permanent, the process highlighted the needs of patients on oral chemotherapy and opened a dialogue with health professionals committed to improving the safety and quality of care for these patients.