Background
Resulting from the Cancer Services Framework for Victoria (2003), eight Integrated Cancer Services (ICS) were formed across Victoria. The North Eastern Metropolitan Integrated Cancer Service (NEMICS) is one of 3 metropolitan and 5 rural Integrated Cancer Services established in 2005.
Purpose of NEMICS
NEMICS has been established to provide the basis for an integrated approach to service delivery within the northeast metropolitan area. This approach aims to provide appropriate support, information and high level care for all people living with cancer and their carers. Our vision is that services provided within the NEMICS catchment will have the following characteristics:
- services will be population based
- individuals will have access to the full range of services from prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, supportive care and palliative care
- referral pathways will be clearly defined
- care will be multidisciplinary and coordinated
- service planning will support a 'critical mass' of expertise and leadership to promote high quality care
Who are we?
Our stakeholders include public and private hospitals, general practitioners, community health sector, consumers and our funders Department of Human Services. What brings us together is our commitment to achieve the highest quality care for people with cancer. Current NEMICS participating health services are: Eastern Health, Northern Health, Mercy Hospital for Women and Austin Health.
Austin Health acts as the host agency, and it is here that the NEMICS Directorate Team is based. The Directorate is responsible for the establishment and development of NEMICS. It comprises a Director – A/Professor Paul Mitchell, Manager – Kathy Simons, and a number of service improvement and project staff.
NEMICS has a governance structure that includes an Governance Committee, a Reference Group and ten local collaborating tumour stream groups.