“At the end of the day, our task is to make a difference to the way that cancer care is both experienced and provided”.
What is the purpose of the tumour groups?
The tumour groups are the main means through which NEMICS will establish a “ground up” approach to improving cancer services in each of the common types of cancer. The tumour groups provide a “meeting place” for clinicians and consumers from the 4 health services involved in NEMICS (Austin, Health, Eastern Health, Northern Health and Mercy Hospital for Women).
Why were the groups formed?
Clinicians with consumers, bring knowledge and local understanding of services provided in the hospitals, referral patterns and strengths and weaknesses in services. Working together, the groups have a major role in deciding what needs to be done to improve outcomes for people with cancer
What would be my role as a consumer in the tumour group?
Your role may incorporate all or some of the following:
- to provide a perspective on what is important for consumers and carers about their treatment and care
- to provide information to the group from a consumer perspective
- to communicate the views and ideas of consumers and carers
- to remind the group that consumers are at the core of cancer care
What are the groups doing?
All tumour groups have been undertaking small projects (known as the $10k projects). The groups are also working with the Patient Management Frameworks (PMF) to establish what actually happens if you are treated for cancer at each of the hospitals in NEMICS working on some simple ways to improve care.
Where can I go to if I need some support or I’m uncertain what to do?
Every group has a leader. Most groups also have a project officer whose job it is to get to know group members and provide assistance with their work. If you have any questions or queries please raise these with the project officer or with the manager of NEMICS.
Remember that some of the clinicians in the groups won’t have worked closely with consumers before, so it may take some time for the groups to “settle in”. If you are finding it difficult to “find your voice” in the group, NEMICS may be able to help with some strategies to make this easier.
For further information please Contact Us.
(For more information and to register contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 or email Cancer Information and Support Service)