Cancer care program pilot in Gippsland

Gippsland Primary Health Network (Gippsland PHN) will lead a state-wide Cancer Shared Care program to improve the wellbeing and support for people affected by cancer.

Funded by the Victorian Department of Health, the pilot program includes the development of specific models of shared cancer care in Gippsland, Western Victoria and Murray regions.  All three pilot programs will be slightly different based on the local needs of people affected by cancer.

The Gippsland pilot program will expand on previous work undertaken as part of the Victorian Cancer Survivorship Phase II program. 

Gippsland PHN has partnered with Latrobe Regional Hospital to support the development of a model of shared care, which will be piloted in partnership with primary care providers across Gippsland.

General practitioners, practice nurses, cancer care providers and consumers from across the region will come together to co-design a clinical framework to ensure cancer survivors have access to ongoing, high quality cancer care equally.

Gippsland PHN Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Proposch, said it was hoped the pilot program would streamline cancer care pathways, putting the patient at the centre of care decisions.

“Cancer Shared Care is about improving patient outcomes and ensuring that all people diagnosed with cancer receive the best care, irrespective of where they live or receive cancer treatment,” she said.

“A person’s cancer experience does not necessarily end when the treatment does. Shared cancer follow-up is essential after completion of active treatment … to check whether the cancer has returned, discuss physical and emotional health, and monitor risk factors and side effects of treatment.”

Cancer Shared Care harnesses the healthcare providers involved in a patient’s treatment more effectively by taking the pressure off the patient.

“Cancer Shared Care will see the cancer specialist, cancer nurse, allied health worker, community service and mental health provider, among others, working together to address the broader needs of a cancer survivor,” Ms Proposch said.

A series of two Cancer Shared Care co-design workshops will be held in July. General practitioners, practice nurses, cancer care providers and consumers interested in taking part can contact Project Officer – Cancer Shared Care, Ashlea King via email at ashlea.king@gphn.org.au.