Hello!
WELCOME TO THE GICS SPRING 2022 NEWSLETTER
You may have noticed that we have changed the distribution cycle of our newsletter from monthly to quarterly and we will now be bringing you all the latest news in line with the seasons - welcome to our Spring 2022 edition!
This email newsletter is to share updates on programs of work, projects and events for the Grampians Integrated Cancer Service (GICS), along with information and links to what's happening in the world of cancer care. We have also included a number of upcoming cancer events, along with cancer resources available to health professionals and patients alike.
Don't forget! If you have any upcoming events, resources or information you would like to share in this newsletter, please contact GICS.
In this Newsletter:
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GICS Annual Forum 2022
We invite you to join us for our online 2022 Annual Forum.
This year’s forum will have a Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO’s) focus and we are very pleased to advise that Dr Carolyn Mazariego will be a keynote speaker.
At this year's online forum we, alongside Dr Carolyn Mazariego, will explore the benefits and the potential of Patient Reported Outcomes, applying research knowledge from large scale studies, to the implementation of our local SMS based patient reported outcomes pilot.
Dr Carolyn Mazariego is an implementation scientist and health services researcher. She specialises in the implementation of innovation across the cancer care continuum. Her portfolio of research includes large cohort-study based projects, implementation strategy design and evaluation, and hybrid effectiveness/implementation trials.
In 2020, Dr Mazariego was appointed as an Inaugural Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) Survivorship Research Fellow to lead concept mapping and recommendations for implementation of patient reported outcome measures into clinical practice for cancer survivorship in Australia, a topic that has now become a research area of focus.
Our forum will be held online via Zoom and a meeting link will be emailed to you upon completion of your registration.
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Our Annual Forum will delve further into the pilot study project led passionately by Glenn Reeves from the GICS team; the SMSpro Project involves working with five clinical teams from across the Grampians region, who have collaborated and co-designed the project, using a Personify Care digital platform. We are excited to share our learnings so far on this project which ultimately seeks to enhance the care experience and health outcomes for cancer patients in regional communities.
Personify Care have published a case study outlining this work we have been undertaking, which you can read on their website.
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The VALT, Data Access and GICS
Data and information systems are recognised as an essential support in the achievement of the Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-24 to which the statewide VICS Implementation Plan, and more locally, the GICS Work Plan activities align. Subsequently, in 2021, the first state-wide VICS Strategy was developed to guide our program of work, from 2021-2024; thereafter, becoming a four-year plan in line with the Cancer Plan.
The Centre for Victorian Data Linkage (CVDL) is a ‘specialist data linkage unit’, based in the Victorian Agency of Health Information (VAHI) in the Department of Health. CVDL have provided the VICS with bespoke cancer data extracts for over 10 years. CVDL has developed a secure, online platform for accessing data, providing access via Virtual Machines (VM) within the VALT (Victorian data Access Linkage Trust). Each VICS now has access to its own VM, loaded with the software needed to generate data analysis and release of linked de-identified data sets.
From GICS’ perspective, new data linkages will be made available going forward and along with it new possibilities in the arena of cancer data to support cancer service improvements to enable; “Improving patient experiences and outcomes by connecting cancer care and driving best practice”
GICS welcome and support relevant data queries. Please contact Sharon Daly from the GICS team via email.
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Over the past year GICS have been working to support the increased availability of telehealth consultations in the BRICC Medical Oncology Outpatient Clinics. As part of this work and in partnership with the BRICC Wellness Centre an education session has been developed to educate and increase patient confidence in the use of telehealth.
Telehealth Education Session
Topics to be covered include:
- How to access the telehealth consult from your appointment letter or SMS reminder
- Find out what happens when you join a telehealth consult
- Time for questions
As there are a limited number of laptops available, please bring your own laptop or phone that can be used for a video call during the education session, if possible.
WHEN - Wednesday 9 November 2022 at 1.00pm
WHERE - BRICC Wellness Centre (1 Drummond Street North, Ballarat)
COST - FREE
Bookings in advance are essential, please contact Simone via email or call (03) 5320 8614 or complete a registration form and submit to Simone, or one of the lovely volunteers, at the BRICC Wellness Centre.
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Prostate Patient Resource Flyer
To support access for patients to appropriate information and support at diagnosis, VICS engaged with health professionals, consumers, Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia and Cancer Council Victoria. Four resources have been identified as the 'gold standard' to be given to newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients.
This will help avoid the variation in information provided to newly diagnosed patients across Victoria, as identified at the last Prostate Tumour Summit.
The resources include:
- the PCFA booklet Prostate Cancer - a guide for newly diagnoses men
- Cancer Council's - Understanding Prostate Cancer
- Guides to Best Cancer Care - Prostate Cancer
- The 'A Common Path' video developed by North Eastern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (NEMICS)
Download the Prostate Patient Resource Flyer here.
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Victorian Tumour Summits
The Victorian Tumour Summits are collaborative clinician-led forums that identify unwarranted variations in tumour-based clinical practice and cancer outcomes, and activities to address variations. Tumour Summits are an initiative of the Victorian Integrated Cancer Services.
Victorian Tumour Summits has launched a new look, a new name, and a new home. The program can now be found at tumoursummits.org.au or via the VICS website. The website provides Victorian cancer services and the workforce with information about:
- the Tumour Summits program
- variations in care
- resources
- activities to address gaps
- upcoming summits
- past summits
For further information join them on LinkedIn and Twitter.
A Pancreatic Summit was held on the 26 August 2022 and the recommendations arising from the summit will soon be available. A further summit the Melanoma 2022 Summit will be held on Friday 14 October 2022.
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Survivorship Care
The VICS in partnership with the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre are embarking on a project aimed at improving patient experiences of survivorship care and are seeking the views of patients to inform this work.
Survivorship Care Survey
This survey is for people who have completed their initial cancer treatments at a Victorian public hospital, or care/cared for someone who has.
The purpose of this survey is to understand your experience receiving and accessing cancer follow-up (survivorship care) care. Follow-up cancer care is the care you receive after you complete your initial cancer treatments. This survey is part of a project to improve follow-up cancer care. We want to ensure your perspective is represented and that our work to improve follow-up cancer care is informed by what matters most to you.
It is hoped to receive as many responses as possible in order to understand the areas of follow-up cancer care where we can make improvements. You are welcome to pass the survey link on to other people you know who have completed initial cancer treatments in Victoria, or who care/cared for someone who has.
To thank you for participating in this survey, we have five $50 gift cards available to win. You can leave your contact details at the end of the survey to go in the draw.
This survey is one component of a project being delivered by the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC) in collaboration with the Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS) titled “Victorian Statewide Collaboration to Improve Cancer Survivorship Care”.
The survey will be open until 30 September 2022.
For more information about this survey, please contact:
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Prostate Cancer Awareness Month - September
Visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia website to learn how you can get involved in The Long Run.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month - October
Provides an opportunity for us all to focus on breast cancer and its impact on those affected by the disease in our community. Visit the Cancer Australia website for more information.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month - November
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. This is an important time of the year, that brings the community together to help provide awareness, and to inform and educate people on the signs and symptoms of the disease. Visit the Connect Ability Australia website for more information.
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month - November
November is recognised globally as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and is an important time of year for communities to raise awareness of the disease, celebrate survivors and honor loved ones.
Held on November 19, 2020, World Pancreatic Cancer Day brings people around the world together to highlight the need for greater awareness, funding and research for pancreatic cancer. Visit The Australia Pancreatic Cancer Foundation website for more information. |
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Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA)
Melanoma Patients can access a number of great resources available at the MPA website.
Also please find a new referral form link for patients/carers to self refer, or for clinicians to refer their patients to the telehealth nurse, Melanoma Nurse Telehealth Service - Melanoma Patients Australia Once a referral has been lodged patients are emailed to organise a suitable time to call.
Alternativity, patients can call the MPA National Support Line if the matter was more pressing to speak to one of the trained volunteers who can provide on the spot support.
Medistays Platform Relaunch
MediStays have recently relaunched their website which features new enhancements including:
The new website is faster and more customisable than ever, to support the needs of our growing community.
During the migration phase, MediStays will be busy reconnecting our accommodation providers to the new website. Over the coming months you will see hundreds of our original and new property partners added to the platform!
They have access to our full range of accommodation options and will be delighted to support you.
Cancer Council Victoria
Visit the CCV website for a range of resources available to both health professionals and people with cancer.
The Cancer Survivor Guide podcasts are a series of podcasts designed and created by our very own Consumer Advisory Group (CAG); a group of dedicated volunteers who have had cancer, or cared for someone with cancer. You can listen to the podcasts here.
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GICS Spotlight
Read about the latest news and projects the GICS team have underway at our website.
Previous GICS Newsletters
Read previous editions of our newsletter here.
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SHARING NEWS
Please feel free to share or forward our newsletter to your networks, family and friends.
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If you have any forthcoming events or information you would like GICS to share, please forward your content to GICS Administration.
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The Grampians Integrated Cancer Service is supported by the Victorian Government
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