Victorian Tumour Summits are clinician-led forums to identify unwarranted variations in tumour-based clinical practice and cancer outcomes that could be addressed through statewide action.
Multidisciplinary clinical working parties are formed to guide the planning of each summit, oversee data analysis and presentation, and guide the refinement of recommendations.
Clinical working parties comprise cancer clinicians based in metropolitan, rural and regional settings.
Resources
Victorian Cancer Plan 2016-2020
Reproduced from page 26, Victorian Cancer Plan 2016-2020
Consistency in the quality of treatment
Victorians should receive timely, high-quality cancer treatment no matter where they live. Currently, there are unwarranted variations across Victoria in the timeliness, consistency and outcomes of cancer treatment.
The Optimal Care Pathways for cancer patients have been described for 15 major tumour types, and provide a template against which variations in care can be assessed and understood. To complement the Optimal Care Pathways, statewide tumour summits have been held to better understand the opportunities for improvements in the care of colorectal, lymphoma, lung and prostate cancer.
Improving the consistency of cancer care will lead to fewer unnecessary procedures for patients, more timely interventions that reduce the need for more complex care, address disparity in outcomes, and also support better morale among the health workforce.
Cancer treatment is increasingly complex, both because of advances in personalised and targeted treatments, and the growing incidence of comorbid chronic diseases. Some cancer treatments require highly specialist staff, high-volume centres or specific equipment to be provided safely. Therefore, clear referral pathways between health services are essential to support people when they need to travel for treatment.
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'Effort should be put into doing consistently what we already know works well.'
Steering committee (October 2019):
| Ms Karen Botting | A/Prof Paul Mitchell (Chair) | Ms Ilana Solo | Dr Craig Underhill | Vacancy - regional director |
| Mr David Deutscher | Ms Alison Patrick | Ms Dayna Swiatek | Dr Zee Wan Wong | Ms Katherine Simons |
| Prof Jeremy Millar | Ms Seleena Sherwell | Prof Jeff Szer | Ms Elaine Wood |
Victorian Tumour Summits e-newsletter previous editions:
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- April 2019
- Christmas 2018
- November 2018
- September 2018
- July 2018
- May 2018
- March 2018
- December 2017
Victorian Tumour Summits is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services – Cancer Strategy Development (DHHS – CSD) and Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS)
and delivered in collaboration with Cancer Council Victoria – Clinical Network
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