Improving patient experiences and outcomes by connecting cancer care
and driving best practice. |
|
|
We welcome you to the Spring edition of our newsletter where we share updates on our program of work along with news, events and education opportunities from across the cancer sector. |
On Tuesday 7 October, we hosted a very successful 2025 Annual Forum. We would like to thank all our guests, who came from near and far, to join us in celebrating our 2️⃣0️⃣ year history.
The evening provided an opportunity for us to look back and acknowledge the maturity of the GICS program of work and its vast array of achievements over the years.
Importantly, we acknowledged the valuable partnerships we have developed over two decades with our member health services, committees and consumers, to work towards better outcomes for people affected by cancer.
Further details about the event topics discussed, the projects showcased and guest images and testimonials can be found on our website.
|
GICS 2025-26 Service Improvement Grants |
APPLY NOW!
We were very excited to launch our 2025-26 Service Improvement Grants at our Annual Forum.
GICS offers Service Improvement Grants biannually to provide funding for projects that will deliver improvements in systems and processes – thereby improving treatment and support for people diagnosed with cancer in the Grampians region.
Grants of up to $50,000 will be available – applications close on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
If you a staff member providing cancer care at one of our member services, we encourage you to reach out to discuss your ideas at email - gics@gh.org.au
|
Visit our website to review past projects supported by GICS Grants Programs here.
|
Colonoscopy Access Project Updates |
New Colonoscopy Dashboard Launched
In August 2025, Grampians Health launched its new Colonoscopy Dashboard—an exciting milestone from the GICS Colonoscopy Access Project, funded in August 2024 to address timely access to Colonoscopy.
The Dashboard marks the first major outcome of the Colonoscopy Access Project and represents a significant step forward in improving Colonoscopy referral management at Grampians Health.
|
VICS Optimal Care Summit - Head and Neck Cancer |
A number of members of the GICS team along with health professionals from the region attended this summit on Friday 24 October 2025.
The summit provided a great opportunity to review patterns of care and to identify priorities and possible solutions to improving experiences and outcomes for people with Head and Neck Cancer.
|
Our Consumers
We were so proud to share the work our Consumer Advisory Group (CAG) has achieved over the years at our Annual Forum held earlier this month.
Throughout the years GICS have valued and sought to include patient perspectives wherever possible to guide learning, identify priorities for improvement and shape solutions.
The evening provided an opportunity to thank the efforts and commitment of both past and current Consumer Advisory Group (CAG) members.
|
We're Recruiting
Have you or your loved ones had an experience of cancer care in the Grampians region?
We welcome anyone with experience of cancer, whether as a patient or carer. We value your experience and greatly appreciate people’s willingness to work with us to improve services.
|
Meet our regions new Cancer Support Nurses |
We've welcomed some new Cancer Support staff to the region in recent times, and we wanted to put them in the spotlight to share the work they do and also get to know them a little better. |
Kerry Piera (Grampians Health) and Nicole Miller (West Wimmera Health Service) have recently started in their roles in the Grampians region.
|
LMICS Cancer and Sexual Wellbeing Community of Practice
Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service (LMICS) will be hosting this event online on Thursday 20 November 2025 from 12.30 - 1.30pm.
The purpose of the Community of Practice (CoP) is to enhance the confidence, knowledge and network of regional and rural health providers to better support sexuality quality of life outcomes for people living with cancer.
Presenters for this session include:
- Chairing by Tara Bewley, Exercise Physiologist - Bendigo Health and Project Lead - LMICS
- Laura Lee, Sexologist and Psychologist
- Lisa Carson, Breast Care Nurse - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Bendigo
Body image has a significant effect on sexual engagement and enjoyment, and cancer diagnosis and treatment can affect body image in many ways- both visible and hidden.
|
VICS News
For more statewide Victorian Integrated Cancer Service (VICS) information please visit the VICS website or alternatively subscribe below to receive the bi-monthly VICS newsletter. |
|
|
National Melanoma Nurse Program Evaluation
You are invited to participate in the evaluation of the National Melanoma Nurses Program.
Melanoma Institiute Australia (MIA) are conducting an independent evaluation of the implementation of the National Melanoma Nurses Program in partnership with Quantium Health. MIA are hoping to gain the perspectives of melanoma nurses, the broader healthcare team, patients, and carers to help us understand the program's impact and identify opportunities for improvement. This is aiming to evaluate the program as a whole and will not report specifically on an individual nurse.
The online survey will take 15-20 minutes and will close on 31 October 2025.
|
Cancer Events & Education |
Nurse Colposcopy Scholarships
The Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (ACPCC), in partnership with Cancer Council Victoria and funded by the Victorian Department of Health, is offering scholarships for Victorian nurses to complete their colposcopy training in 2026.
This initiative is focused on improving equity for regional women by having colposcopy credentialled nursing services available in regional locations.
Applications are open and close on Thursday 13 November 2025.
|
New Easy Read Cancer Resources
Cancer Council NSW has launched cancer information resources for people with low literacy, as part of a broader effort to increase equity in cancer support. The new resources make information about cancer accessible to anyone with low literacy, as well as people with intellectual disability, and people with English as a second language. This initiative puts clear, supportive guidance within reach for all.
|
VICS Cancer Resources
The Cancer Resources section of the VICS website has more than 150 guidelines, forms, reports, videos, podcasts, and more from across our statewide network. Explore tools and evidence to guide your practice.
|
Sharing News
Please feel free to share or forward our newsletter to your networks, family and friends.
If you have any forthcoming events or information you would like us to share please forward your content to GICS. |
|
|
Grampians Integrated Cancer Service (GICS)
PO Box 577, Ballarat, VIC 3353
Ph: (03) 5320 4782
|
|
You have received this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter, attended one of our events, applied for GICS funding or are a GICS committee member.
If you no longer wish to receive emails from us please click 'unsubscribe'. |
|
|
Grampians Integrated Cancer Service is supported by the Victorian Government |
|
|
© Grampians Integrated Cancer Service 2025.
Except where otherwise stated, you may re-use written content from this newsletter on the conditions that you credit the Grampians Integrated Cancer Service (GICS) as author, indicate if changes were made, and comply with all other licence terms, copyright and disclaimer requirements. You may not re-use images, photographs, data, or data findings without written permission from the GICS. To request such permission, email gics@gh.org.au |
|
|
|
|
