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Integrated Cancer Services

A major theme of the Cancer Services Framework for Victoria is an integrated approach to service delivery, which focuses on delivering the right treatment and support to patients, as early as possible in their cancer journey.

The Cancer Services Framework for Victoria outlines an integrated service model for metropolitan and regional cancer services based on the following principles:

• services will be population based
• individuals will have access to the full range of services from prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, supportive care and palliative care
• referral pathways are clearly defined for the range of services required
• care is multidisciplinary and coordinated
• high quality care requires a 'critical mass' of expertise and leadership.

The integrated service model adopted has resulted in the establishment of three metropolitan and five regional Integrated Cancer Services (ICS), based on specified geographic populations and one statewide paediatric ICS.

For information about each of the three metropolitan and five regional ICS, including participating health services, web sites and contact details, please click on the relevant region on the map above.

The ICS are formal partnerships between health services that aim to improve the planning and delivery of cancer care so that it is coordinated, appropriate and effective. The role of the ICS is to:

• Build relationships between providers, health services and settings
• Improve cancer care through quality improvement processes
• Plan cancer services across a geographic area based on access, appropriateness and effectiveness.

The ICS are the platform through which improvements in cancer service delivery and patient care are being implemented. Four key priority areas for reform have been identified and are the focus of service improvement initiatives at the ICS and statewide levels:

• Multidisciplinary care
• Care coordination across the cancer pathway
• Supportive care
• Reducing unwanted variation in practice (quality monitoring and support)

Paediatric Integrated Cancer Services

The statewide Paediatric Integrated Cancer Service (PICS) was established as part of the Government’s Caring for Children package in 2004. The PICS is a partnership between The Royal Children’s Hospital, Southern Health and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

The role of the PICS is similar to that of the ICS, however the PICS focus is on improving care for children with cancer and their families. The PICS is dedicated to ensuring high quality, safe and effective clinical and supportive care that is well coordinated and provided in appropriate environments as close to home as possible.

As a statewide service, the PICS is in the process of developing partnerships with regional health services to support local access to care for children and families living in regional and rural Victoria.

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