Current Activities

One of the key messages coming from people affected by cancer as well as health professionals is knowing about, and being able to access support services.  

Supportive care services include 

• self-help and general support 
• information 
• psychological support 
• symptom control 
• social support 
• rehabilitation 
• spiritual support 
• palliative care 
• bereavement care  

Information about supportive care can be hard to find.  GICS will map the supportive care services across the Grampians Region and make this information accessible. 

Contact for this project is Lea Marshall, GICS Cancer Service Improvement Coordinator

In 2015 GICS worked with Deakin University, Ballarat Health Services and the Department of Health and Human Services to complete the Ophelia Grampians Project: Optimising Health Literacy and Access to Cancer Care in the Grampians. 

The project looked at health literacy and factors contributing to a higher incidence of cancer and cancer mortality in the Grampians region. We identified opportunities for cancer care service improvement.

GICS will now develop strategies that local communities can use to improve access and use of cancer care services. 

The project will test the strategies in Avoca and Beaufort, working directly with  

• local GPs 
• medical clinicians
• cancer nurses
• allied healthcare
• local pharmacists
• community groups and clubs 

The project lays the groundwork for framework development to guide small town service development nationally.   

• Co-develop Local Cancer Plans with stakeholders from Avoca and Beaufort
• Mentor and support GICS and local health providers to identify resources and develop materials required to implement two Local Cancer Plans
• Develop guidelines and templates to guide small town cancer service development across the region, and be an exemplar for Victoria and Australia   

Contact for this project is Glenn Reeves, GICS Cancer Service Improvement Coordinator

The Victorian Cancer Performance Indicator program measures progress against the Victorian Government cancer reform policy in the areas of 

• multidisciplinary 
• supportive and 
• coordination of care

Many of our partner health services participate in the bi-annual audit.

GICS undertakes the audits and reports on four indicators that document evidence of:

• multidisciplinary recommendations
• disease staging in multidisciplinary recommendations
• communication of initial treatment plan to the patient's GP
• supportive care screening

The indicators are requirements for clinical communication, quality cancer services, and to ensure patient safety.

Contact for this project is Sharon Daly, Quality Coordinator 

Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs)aim to improve the cancer care experience for each patient by promoting and facilitating consistent and evidence-based care for each cancer type. 

We know people affected by cancer, experience their cancer care across the whole health system, they need to receive services in an appropriate and coordinated manner.

This work includes analysis of current patterns of cancer care and consultation with our clinical leaders. We then identify variation in care and service improvements. Work has commenced on the colorectal cancer and lung cancer pathways. 

Click here for more information on the OCPs

Contact for this project is Jo Millard, Project Manager - Optimal Care Pathways 

My Cancer Care Record is a hand held folder to assist newly-diagnosed patients affected by cancer, to store and record their medical and health related information in one place. It helps people request information from their health care professionals and manage their care.

The record was initiated by the North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Cancer Service Consumer Reference Group. They recognised the need for people affected by cancer to be: 

• more informed, actively involved and in control of their care 
• provided with more personally relevant information 
• better equipped to recall their health information and communicate with health care providers 

Use of the folder promotes safety and improved continuity of a person's care. 

One hundred copies of the first version of the folder were produced and piloted in Melbourne. 

Following evaluation and improvements, the project has been extended to a larger pilot of 2000 folders for use over 12 months. GICS recently launched the folders in the Grampians region.

The folder is 

• an A4 sized folder
• for any person affected by any type of cancer

with

• sections to help people organise and keep their important information 
• prompt pages to guide people on the type of information that's important to keep and record, 
• tips, information and questions for people to ask their health professionals. 

GICS Consumer Advisory Group is leading the pilot of the folder in our region. The larger pilot will 

• extend the availability of the folder, 
• confirm that people affected by cancer need and value the folder
• improve health professional awareness and use of the folder. 

For further information on this project contact Glenn Reeves, Cancer Service Improvement Officer

In 2013, lung cancer was the fourth most common new cancer, diagnosed in Victoria and was the leading cause of cancer death in both males and females.  

The prognosis for those diagnosed with lung cancer is poor with a five year relative survival rate of 14% for males and 18% for females. In the majority of cases by the time lung cancer is diagnosed it is too late for curative treatment. 

The diagnostic process is complex. Lung cancer patients may see up to four specialists and have multiple tests before treatment starts. 

The approach to triage and coordination of the diagnostic pathway varies. This variation in timeliness of lung cancer care is a problem in Victoria. 

GICS, together with our health service partners are participating in a redesign program to improve timeliness of lung cancer care in our region. 

 

• Decrease delays from receipt of referral to first lung cancer specialist appointment 
• Decrease time from first specialist appointment to first staging test 
• Decrease time from receipt of referral to a diagnosis of lung cancer 
• All patients with a new diagnosis of lung cancer are discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting 

Contact for this project is Joanne Gell, Strategic Director

People in the Grampians region report feeling isolated during their cancer experience and want local support and partnership between cancer care providers. (2010 GICS report 'You don't get called a patient for nothing')

The 2015 GICS 'Cancer Conversations' project identified support and assistance, and information and communication as two more important themes.

GICS responded by activating the Wimmera Cancer Care Coordination Implementation Plan in 2013. 

• Improve supportive care
• Improve clinical services to people with cancer
• Develop a Wimmera Cancer Care Community of Practice 

Cancer Resource Nurses (CRNs) have been appointed to improve supportive cancer care at

• Dunmunkle Health Services
• Edenhope Memorial Health Service
• Rural Northwest Health and 
• West Wimmera Health Services 

CRNs are local non-cancer nurses trained in supportive cancer care. Their point of difference is their ability to offer care and referral to appropriate services as close to home as possible. 

Comments from people affected by cancer about CRNs

• 'I no longer feel alone with this'
• 'Invaluable service and sorely needed' 
• 'Saved me travelling'

The Wimmera Cancer Nurse Practitioner provides support and expert advice for the CRNs as they continue to adapt their existing knowledge and skills to include cancer care. 

The Wimmera Cancer Care Community of Practice supports the re-design work and is contributed to by many skilled clinicians. 

GICS is working in collaboration the Wimmera Southern Mallee Health Alliance 

Contact for this project is Lea Marshall, GICS Cancer Service Improvement Coordinator

Since discussions began in early 2016, GICS in partnership with Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) and HumeRICS are pleased to announce the Telehealth for Supportive Survivorship Care Project has now commenced.

The project aim is 'to develop, pilot and assess a telehealth model for the sustainable delivery of CCV's 'Wellness and Life After Cancer (WALAC) program across rural and regional sites in two Victorian Integrated Cancer Services'.

The project will provide access to a comprehensive survivorship assessment, education, exercise and wellness program for rural and regional cancer survivors and carers. Synchronous (real time) telehealth video conferencing will be used to enable the participants to remain as close to home as practicable while accessing the program. It will further innovate the program with tailored assessment, practical exercise and wellness sessions for survivors and carers as part of a pilot.

Centred in the Wimmera Southern Mallee region the main local project partners are Wimmera Southern Mallee Health Alliance member service, Stawell Regional Health and Wimmera Primary Care Partnership. Nursing and allied health professionals are key participants in the project.

For further details please contact Lea Marshall