The COVID-19 pandemic has required adaptation and innovation on a number of fronts to ensure optimal healthcare for all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is particularly so in the care of patients with cancer. The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre alliance and Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium (MPCCC) have joined forces to tap into the collective expertise of the cancer workforce throughout Victoria in order to disseminate knowledge and information, to support treatment and care for patients across Victoria.
The creation of an expert taskforce and the Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network means that professionals in general practice, medical oncology, haematology, radiation oncology, paediatric and geriatric oncology, pharmacy and other specialities can have conversations and share the latest information to fast-track understanding as the pandemic progresses.
One of the aims of the network is to ensure that clinical staff across Victoria, from metropolitan areas to rural and regional centres, are supported to deliver consistent expert care.
Professor Grant McArthur, VCCC Executive Director says, “This is an exciting and highly valuable service and role for the VCCC to play at this time, and it is fantastic to be doing it with MPCCC.”
The scope and functionality of the network has rapidly expanded in the past week. There are now more than a dozen expert chairs providing structure and guidance for the groups - which relate to specific tumour streams and specialised response areas such as telehealth and clinical trials.
Patient information and support
Danielle Spence, Head of Division Strategy and Support, Cancer Council Victoria and Joanne Britto VCCC consumer engagement manager
Clinical Directors
Phil Parente, Director of Cancer Services, Eastern Health and Anne Woollett VCCC Head Clinical Trials Programs
Telehealth
Zee Wan Wong, Head of Oncology, Peninsula Health, Monash Health and Shepparton Private Hospital and Hannah Cross VCCC program manager
Haematology
Tricia Wright, Haematologist, Alfred Health, Peninsula Private Hospital and Peninsula Health and Jasper de Boer VCCC program manager
Clinical Trials
Eva Segelov, Director of Oncology, Monash Health / Monash University and Kate Khamly VCCC program manager
Upper GI cancer
Niall Tebbutt, Director Medical Oncology, Austin Hospital
Lower GI cancer
Paul McMurrick, Director of Surgery, Cabrini Hospital and Evelien Rosen VCCC program manager
Breast cancer
Jane Fox, Director of Breast Services, Monash Health
Lung cancer
Gavin Wright, VCCC Research & Education Lead lung cancer and Chris Packer VCCC clinical trials workforce development manager
Gynae-oncology
Linda Mileshkin, VCCC Research & Education Lead gynae-oncology and Lauren King VCCC program manager
Head and neck cancers
Ben Dixon, Consultant ENT surgeon, Epworth Healthcare and Courtney Thornely VCCC program manager
Melanoma and skin cancers
Victoria Mar, Director of Victorian Melanoma Service, Alfred Hospital and Mari Shibaoka VCCC program manager
Sarcoma
Jeremy Lewin, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Justine Ellis VCCC associate head, research development
Urological oncology
Declan Murphy, Director Genitourinary Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Four-hundred and fifty professionals are already on board in the network and more are joining each day. The taskforce and network group represent a substantial, skilled proportion of Victoria’s clinical cancer workforce sharing information, resources, and supporting each other.
The VCCN Clinical Directors group will specifically look at statewide approaches to referral and management of capacity across the cancer sector if it is needed. The group may also be a touch point for sharing innovations in delivery of cancer services at this extraordinary time.
As well as the communications happening in the Slack digital platform, which you can join here, we are also listening to our community and are presenting weekly webinars on topics of specific need. Interested participants can register via our website event page.
Following is a video message for cancer patients everywhere from Australia's cancer care community.
