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Supportive care

What is supportive care?

Supportive care is an umbrella term used to refer to services which may be required by those affected by cancer.  It includes self-help and support, information, psychological support, symptom control, social support, rehabilitation, spiritual support, palliative care and bereavement care.
Supportive care in cancer refers to the following five domains:

• Physical needs
• Psychological needs
• Social needs
• Information needs
• Spiritual needs.

Who provides supportive care?

Supportive care is provided by generalist and specialist health services as well as community services.  All members of the multidisciplinary team have a role in the provision of supportive care.  In addition, support from family, friends, support groups, volunteers and other community-based organisations make an important contribution to supportive care.

Victoria’s approach to supportive care

Victoria’s Cancer Action Plan 2008-2011 (VCAP) sets the direction and targets for the cancer reforms over the next three years.  Action Area four of VCAP commits to strengthening supportive care services for people with cancer and their carers.  The supportive care policy outlines the strategic directions for supportive care services and provides a framework for achieving the VCAP supportive care commitments:

• by 2012 we will provide evidence of training of the cancer workforce in supportive care screening processes and survivorship awareness
• we will aim to document supportive care screening for 50 per cent of newly diagnosed cancer patients by 2012.

The Victorian Government’s supportive care policy, Providing optimal cancer care: Supportive care policy for Victoria was developed in consultation with the ICS, consumers and other key stakeholders.  Endorsed by the Minister for Health, the Hon Daniel Andrews MP, the policy will underpin the work of the ICS to achieve high quality supportive care services for people affected by cancer. 
The strategic directions for supportive care as outlined in the policy are:

• identifying the supportive care needs of people affected by cancer
• capacity building for supportive care
• implementing supportive care screening into routine practice
• addressing supportive care needs – referral and linkages.
• The ICS are critical for the successful implementation of the supportive care policy.  Implementation of the policy requires each ICS to establish a supportive care network to direct service improvement activities.  The ICS are also required to develop a three-year supportive care strategic plan that aligns with the ICS strategic plan and the policy. 

Fitch’s model
Best practice clinical care, coordinated care in a supportive environment and high-quality supportive care resources and services are required to provide optimal cancer care.
Supportive care in Victoria adapts the tiered approach described by Fitch in 2000 (see Figure 1). This approach recognises that effective, efficient allocation of resources is required to respond to the diversity of needs of a population.

Adapted from Fitch,M. 2000, Supportive care for cancer patients’. Hospital Quarterly. Volume 3, No. 4: 39-46.

Reproduced with permission from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

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Support for Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer (SWRDBC) 2004 - 2007

In recognition of the achievements of the Strengthening Support for Women with Breast Cancer (SSWBC) initiative, the Australian Government have funded a subsequent program called Supporting Women in Rural Areas Diagnosed with Breast Cancer (2004 - 2007).
Women diagnosed with breast cancer and living in rural and remote areas face special barriers in accessing treatment options and support services. This initiative will enable women diagnosed with breast cancer to receive supportive care and information on treatment, management and quality of life issues in their local area.
For further information please contact Catuscia Biuso, Project Manager, Supportive Care on Tel (03) 9096 2131 or email at catuscia.biuso@dhs.vic.gov.au

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