Background It has been supposed that receiving chemotherapy in outreach facilities is a more positive experience for staff and patients, but little is known about the information patients receive from healthcare professionals (HCPs) about choice and location of chemotherapy treatments.

Aim To investigate the current practices of HCPs in offering alternative treatment locations to patients who are having chemotherapy.

Method This mixed method study involved patients and HCPs. Ten patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer were interviewed at three time points during their chemotherapy treatment cycles. An online survey with seven questions was completed by 34 HCPs.

Findings Three themes emerged from the HCP group: eligibility criteria, perception and leadership. Despite knowing that the hospital has an outreach service that provides chemotherapy, only 19 staff members had referred 1-5 patients in the previous month. Outreach was offered to five of the participants across the three interview time points. HCPs were confused about whose responsibility it was to refer patients.

Conclusion The referral process did not allow all patients to receive information about available treatment locations and to make an informed choice about where they would prefer to be treated. Suggestions to improve the service include rewriting the current policy, developing a clear referral pathway and establishing the role of a lead outreach nurse.