RFQ: Development of a Cancer Equity Framework

Background

Victoria has some of the best cancer patient outcomes in the world and is recognised as having a leading cancer system. However, these positives are not experienced equally by all Victorians. People living outside of metropolitan areas, from lower socio-economic groups, who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or from culturally diverse communities, are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage or preventable cancer and have poorer experiences of care and outcomes.

There is an urgent requirement to better understand the needs of people in our community who are underserved by the current systems of cancer care. Effective responses need to be developed, regardless of geography, social, cultural, physical, or economic circumstances. The Health Equity Program will build on existing achievements, learnings, resources and data, engaging across and beyond the VCCC Alliance to establish new partnerships and strategies to contribute to addressing inequities in cancer care and outcomes.

A fundamental goal of the VCCC Alliance is improving outcomes for all Victorian patients with cancer. There is increasing recognition that to improve outcomes for all and eliminate health disparities between communities, more targeted and strategic work needs to be done.  Scoping by the health equity team has determined that there is no overarching collation of principles, tools and resources for embedding health equity within cancer research training, consumer engagement and health service delivery. The creation of the Cancer Equity Framework will address this.

Purpose

The development of an outline of a Cancer Equity framework (CEF) is a key deliverable of the Health Equity Program (Program 8 within the Strategic Program Plan). Preliminary scoping has commenced using existing resources within the program; the focus has been on alliance partners. There is dedicated budget for the development of the outline of the CEF, as part of the formulation of the Health Equity Program.

The scoping to date has identified that while several equity frameworks exist, none of them are fit for purpose for application in the Australian cancer context. This RFQ represents the first step towards a practical cancer equity framework for implementation by all stakeholders in the system, including researchers, education facilities, consumers and health services.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Rapid review of literature (academic/peer-reviewed and grey) nationally and internationally to identify any existing equity frameworks and tools/resources
• Identification and ranking of evaluated or tested tools
• Assessment of validated tools’ suitability for the Australian cancer context
• Development of an outline of the Cancer Equity Framework with clear demarcation of themes and intended audiences
• Comprehensive documents detailing:
  • The location and format of existing validated good practice resources
  • Areas of the framework that require content generation

Pre-evaluation Criteria

1. This project needs to be undertaken in conjunction with community and/or consumer-based organisations. Where there is no contract or MOU between parties, providers must list organisations and demonstrate how community or consumer-based organisations will be involved in project design and delivery.
2. Adherence to the requirements of this tender process, and comprehensiveness of quote provided inclusive of ongoing support.
3. Providers should be able to demonstrate skills and experience in health research and in working collaboratively with community organisations using a participatory co-design methodology. Specific expertise in cancer research is desirable.
4. Integration with VCCC Alliance systems –
   • Ability to work collaboratively with the VCCC Alliance team and other key stakeholders
   • Acceptance of VCCC Alliance Agreement T&Cs
   • Upon development, CEF will become the property of the VCCC Alliance. All processes, including research and scoping, undertaken as part of this project will remain the property of the VCCC Alliance.
5. An understanding of the health care system, health research industry and the barriers to achieving equity in cancer prevention, treatment, and care.
6. Effective project management and adherence to project deadlines and budget, including regular communication with the health equity team.

To apply

For further information about this RFQ, please contact the Health Equity Manager, Dr Vijaya Joshi: [email protected]

RFQs should be submitted no later than 5pm Monday 5th September 2022 to [email protected]