Victorian healthcare cancer databases linked through a VCCC Alliance-enabled project are providing key data to identify unwarranted variations in cancer care across the state.
Since March 2024, the Victorian Integrated Cancer Services’ (VICS) Optimal Care Summits on oesophagogastric, endometrial and colorectal cancers have all featured presentations and data provided by the Data Connect team, led by Professor Jon Emery (pictured, top), University of Melbourne.
Both the VICS and VCCC Alliance are initiatives supported and funded by the Victorian Government through the Department of Health.
VCCC Alliance CEO Prof Grant McArthur said the VICS Optimal Care Summits are an excellent example of impactful collaboration.
“This partnership represents two Victorian Government-funded parties working synergistically to solve problems related to cancer, by bringing a pre-diagnostic picture to cancer specialists in the state. It’s creating vital dialogue, resolutions and pathways forward towards improved care for cancer patients,” Prof McArthur said.
Linda Nolte, Director of the North Eastern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (NEMICS) said: “We believe the VICS Optimal Care Summits program is an excellent example of how Victorian cancer stakeholders can collaborate, innovate, and create impact by working together.”
Data Connect, a program developed by the VCCC Alliance with the University of Melbourne, has enabled a linked data system with research capability to analyse cancer patient data where the primary care and hospital systems intersect across the cancer journey, informing improved cancer diagnosis and cancer care. The project has enabled data from general practice, cancer registries and hospitals to be linked for research purposes, for the first time in cancer research in Australia.
The Victorian Cancer Plan 2024–2028 highlights the importance of reducing variation in cancer care experience and outcomes across Victoria. The cancer Optimal Care Pathways
(OCPs) are nationally recognised frameworks for the delivery of consistent, safe, high quality, and evidence-based care for people with cancer. OCPs aim to improve patient outcomes through promoting quality cancer care and ensuring that all people diagnosed with cancer receive the best care, irrespective of where they live or receive cancer treatment.
The VICS Optimal Care Summits involves the examination of patterns of cancer care, experience and outcome measures against the standards and targets set out in the OCPs. The program identifies unwarranted variations and prioritises cancer system improvements that are delivered by the VICS, cancer services, and other strategic partners.
NEMICS is one of nine partnerships that make up the VICS, and NEMICS administers the VICS Optimal Care Summits program on behalf of the whole VICS network.
The next VICS Optimal Care Summit will be in July and focus on Head and Neck Cancers.
