A VIRTUAL clinic for lung cancer patients in Barnsley is set to be trialled in an effort to reduce long-term journeys to and from hospitals in neighbouring cities.

Members of the South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottingham Joint Health and Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard that the long-term illness of one consultant has led to Barnsley patients having to travel to Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield for face-to-face consultations.

Now, medics will trial an ‘enhanced virtual clinic’ which will solely cater for the town’s patients, providing oncologists’ input without the need to travel.

Projections show the current oncologist workforce’s shortfall is set to worsen in the coming two years.

A report said: “We are piloting an enhanced virtual model in Barnsley for urology and lung patients which offers local access with team support in a more accessible location for patients.

“There is a national shortage of consultant oncologists with insufficient trainees to bridge the gap.

“There are significant advances in technology offering more patient-led opportunities to feed into care planning, remotely and face-to-face.

“We have taken the feedback from patients, the public and staff to build into the proposed clinical models.”