· Advocacy group All.Can Australia is calling on both sides of federal politics to commit to funding the first pilot site for a national approach to cancer care navigation in Tasmania.
· A broader approach to cancer care navigation will ensure more Australians receive support following a diagnosis – regardless of cancer type, demographic or location.
· New research shows there may be up to $46 million in savings to the health system per year by implementing a new model.1
3 May 2022: Tasmanian oncologists are joining advocacy group All.Can Australia’s efforts to ensure more Tasmanians receive support as they navigate a complex health system following a diagnosis of cancer. All.Can Australia is encouraging both sides of politics to support the piloting of Australia’s first national broad cancer care navigation model, with Tasmania being proposed as the first site.
According to All.Can Australia, Tasmania represents a viable option for the pilot of the proposed cancer care navigation model due to its regional and rural status, the need to reduce existing gaps in cancer care and provide equal support across the state.
Once the cancer care navigation model is rolled out nationally, it has the potential to deliver incalculable benefits to over 150,000 Australians living with cancer.2
In partnership with Cancer Council Australia, All.Can Australia continues to have discussions with government about piloting a non-cancer specific care navigation model that is designed to provide guidance to all cancer patients – regardless of cancer type, patient demographic or location – as they go through the health system.
New research commissioned by All.Can Australia shows that the adoption of this new model, which is a hybrid system that uses technology and experienced navigators (both allied and healthcare professional), may be able to deliver multiple patient, health system and economic benefits.1
According to Associate Professor Louise Nott, Medical Oncologist at Icon Cancer Centre Hobart, an integrated approach to cancer care navigation would close the gap in care access.
“We know that many patients continue to experience distress and confusion navigating our fragmented health system once they receive their diagnosis – regardless of being in the private or public hospital system. There are patients who need to travel to various locations and clinics, which can be difficult without tailored support. We know the invaluable support cancer care nurses provide to patients with specific types of cancers, so now we need to break down that barrier to ensure every other patient can access the same support,” said A/Professor Nott.
“It is important to explore the opportunity for Tasmania to pilot a new model of cancer care navigation. I’m certain that even in its early stages, a more cohesive approach to navigation will alleviate a lot of the stress I now see in patients. Many organisations and healthcare professionals agree that navigation needs to be prioritised so we are improving the way we support patients.”
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Cancer Care Navigation Pilot: Key offerings and opportunities3
· Referral to service from existing services: Encourages connection with the patient’s existing treatment team to avoid a ‘siloed’ approach to support and information sharing.
