Consumers, researchers and health professionals united on Friday 8 December to celebrate and explore a new era of integrating lived experience expertise into cancer care and control.
The Consumer Engagement and Leadership forum provided a launch pad for a $1.6 million research partnership aimed at enhancing the impact and contribution of lived experience to cancer care, research and education in Victoria.
After a spirited opening address from VCCC Alliance Executive Director, Prof Grant McArthur AO, the new Cancer Consumer-led Research Partnership was officially announced by The Hon Tim Richardson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Infrastructure, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, on behalf of the Health Minister.
“Cancer consumers have a great amount of expertise and experience to contribute to delivering better outcomes for patients,” he said.
“The new partnership and leadership program will ensure they are better equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively contribute to the future of cancer care and control.”
Mr Richardson said the investment will address key areas of need to enhance the state’s cancer outputs and capabilities and is a key component of the Victorian Cancer Plan 2020-24.
The partnership will draw together expertise from the VCCC Alliance, Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Regional Trials Network Victoria and Cancer Council Victoria, with academic support from the University of Melbourne.
Funding will support key projects including development and implementation of a consumer leadership program as a pathway for consumers to gain knowledge, skills and confidence to enhance their contribution to cancer-related care delivery, research and education.
Projects will also focus on strengthening the network of skilled consumer leaders and embed their expertise into more state-based projects in clinical care, research and education.
As part of the forum, attendees heard from:
A graphic recording of key topics discussed by the panel by Jessamy Gee.
The energy and sense of purpose was palpable at the booked-out event, with 200 attendees joining in-person and online from a range of specialties and disciplines all eager to connect, have their voice heard and share insights from multiple perspectives.
Attendees formed breakout groups to discuss consumer leadership from all angles: what it looks like, the journey so far, and what still needs to be done to amplify and embed lived experience into more aspects of the cancer sector to improve outcomes for patients.
Dr Joanne Britto, Manager Consumer Involvement, VCCC Alliance, summarised that the impetus for the research is to address a key question consumers what to know - am I making a difference, what the partnership will aim to achieve and areas of impact. Most importantly, what is achievable with consumers and five organisations come together for one goal: transformational change in the cancer sector.
"The Consumer Forum was an amazing opportunity for consumers, researchers and heath professionals to share their broad experiences and understanding of consumer leadership, with the aim of empowering and educating each other," Jo Cockwill, Deputy Chair, VCCC Alliance Cancer Consumer Advisory Committee reflected after the event. "Attendees already can't wait for the next one."
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