Cancer is the greatest cause of mortality in Victoria, and generates a high level of consumer concern. The care of cancer patients represents a significant proportion of all health care delivered in Victoria.
The need for improved delivery of cancer services along with improved outcomes for patients and their families has been identified as a priority for both State and Federal governments and is driven by many factors including trends in population health, workforce issues, the increasing complexity and cost of cancer care and the shift of cancer treatment to the ambulatory setting.
The Victorian Department of Human Services has been working on a range of cancer initiatives over a number of years, including the redevelopment of breast cancer treatment services, the establishment of radiotherapy in regional Victoria, the establishment of closer links with palliative care services, and the establishment of three metropolitan and five regional Integrated Cancer Services.
What does cancer clinical networking look like in Victoria?
Integrated Cancer Services (ICS) – partnerships between health services for the purpose of planning and service improvement across a geographic area. They are the platforms through which improvements in care delivery and patient care are being implemented.
Tumour streams – collaborative approaches to care and service improvement between consumers and health professionals around particular tumour categories. Tumour streams promote a consistent approach to care for a particular tumour category, in order to reduce unacceptable variations in care. Local collaborating tumour groups have been established in each ICS.
Victorian Integrated Cancer Services Development and Operations Group – works to ensure that ongoing changes in cancer service delivery are driven by the ICS (and therefore the tumour streams) and that agreement is reached on statewide initiatives and proposed work related to the implementation of cancer reform policies and frameworks.
Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS) Chairs – provides a forum for communication regarding governance and performance of the ICS to the department.
Victorian Cooperative Oncology Group (VCOG) – (and its 18 advisory committees) provides expert advice on all clinical aspects of cancer control, especially in clinical research and service direction.
Victorian Cancer Clinical Network Advisory Committee – works to ensure that the cancer reform strategies deliver on the commitment to improvements in cancer services, with meaningful and measurable improvements in the experience and outcomes of patients with cancer. The committee also provides advice, analysis and feedback to the department regarding statewide performance, risk management, planning, policy direction and implementation.
What are the aims of the Cancer Clinical Network in Victoria?
The established state-wide Cancer Clinical Network established aims to:
Analyse service configuration across the state, including capacity and capability of services to deliver best practice care.
Provide advice on service configuration
Evaluate aspects of clinical practice across the state and make recommendations to reduce variation and improve clinical care.
Assist in identifying ways to improve a system service performance.
Assist in identifying ways to sustain clinical expertise.
Further Information
Contact
Patricia McGarrity
Acting Manager, Quality and Performance
Tel (03) 9096 2185
email: patricia.mcgarrity@dhs.vic.gov.au
