The Victorian Department of Human Services has been developing a range of cancer service initiatives over a number of years. Further information is available at the Department of Human Services website.

In 2002 the Victorian Department of Human Services committed to a statewide redevelopment of cancer services, using ideas as expressed in the Cancer Services Framework for Victoria.

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, and
• as close to the patient's home as possible.

Priority areas

Four priority areas were identified for cancer service improvement:

• Reducing Variations in Care,
• Care Coordination,
• Multidisciplinary Care, and
• Supportive Care.

Reducing Variations in Care

Irrespective of where a patient lives, there are standards of care that should not differ during treatment. Each ICS aims to ensure that this occurs, where possible, with EVERY patient receiving:

• accurate and prompt diagnosis,
• treatment according to world’s best standards,
• access to a full range of services, and
• coordinated care that promotes a smooth transition or journey through and between cancer service providers, throughout their cancer treatment.

Care coordination

Care coordination aims to create linkages between different services, improving communication and information sharing that results in a streamlined and smooth delivery of services for patients.

Multidisciplinary Care

Multidisciplinary care promotes the development of a team approach to cancer care. It brings professionals together to consider all treatment options and to develop tailored treatment plans for each cancer patient. These treatment plans incorporate all relevant aspects of a cancer patient’s physical and emotional needs.

Supportive Care

Supportive care is a broad term used to describe all the services that may be required to support people with cancer and their carers. It includes:

• symptom control,
• provision of information,
• rehabilitation,
• physical support,
• social support,
• emotional support,
• spiritual support, and
• palliative care and bereavement care.

Integrated Cancer Services (ICSs)

Integrated Cancer Services (ICSs) have been established across the State to drive the Victorian cancer reform agenda at a local level. Each ICS aims to improve the planning and delivery of cancer care so that it is:

• coordinated,
• appropriate, and
• effective.

These Integrated Cancer Services:

• are formal partnerships between health services within a particular geographic area,
• operate across public, private and community services, and
• have been rolled out and supported by the Cancer and Palliative Care Unit in the Victorian Department of Human Services.