Improving patient experiences and outcomes by connecting cancer care
and driving best practice. |
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We welcome you to the Summer 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. |
GICS Director - Reflecting on 2025 |
It has been an eventful year, with many highlights we're proud to share including our work in improving timely access to colonoscopy, the local implementation of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP), the capture of value based patient reported outcome measures and the delivery of successful small & professional development grant programs.
We were very pleased to be joined by many of our partners at our Annual Forum, 20 year celebration, in October and look forward to working in partnership with you as we look to close out a very busy and successful 2025. |
GICS Director - Kerry Davidson |
Service Improvement Grant Recipients Announced |
We were very pleased to receive many high quality applications for our 2025-26 Service Improvement Grant Program.
Successful applications have been advised and we look forward to sharing the details of these projects in our next issue. |
Visit our website to review past projects supported by GICS Grants Programs. |
Coming Soon
Owing to unplanned leave we will unfortunately be delaying the release of our 2024-25 Annual Report until early 2026.
In the mean time if you have any queries about our current work, please check out our website or alternatively emails us at gics@gh.org.au |
Farewell Donna
GICS have sadly farewelled Donna Bridge who has been a member of the team since March 2023 and has worked autonomously, based at the Wimmera Cancer Centre, in Horsham. Donna has tirelessly worked to expand upon and further build the relationships GICS has with health services in the Wimmera region
Donna, in collaboration with many cancer care staff, has achieved many improvements in cancer care experiences and outcomes, including, but not limited to:
- Patient Chemo Education Video
- Supportive Care e-Form
- West Wimmera Health Service - Skin Check Clinics
- Rural Northwest Health - CASED Project
- Professional Development - facilitating training for cancer care staff.
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Donna we will miss your positive outlook, enthusiasm and passion to drive projects further. Good luck with all of your future endeavours, which we know will include many outdoor activities, along with much deserved down time to read a good book.
Thank you and farewell. |
GICS Professional Development Grants |
Applications Opening Soon
We are pleased to support allied health and nursing staff to attend professional development opportunities with the aim to support workforce capability and capacity building for clinicians working in oncology in the Grampians region.
Early in the new year, GICS will be inviting staff to apply for Professional Development funding to attend either a course or conference during 2026.
We will only have a small application window this round, so we are preparing funding guidelines and collating a list of events and education to aid applicants in determining suitable learning opportunities.
Watch this space, we'll announce when applications are open via our website, socials and newsletter. |
COSA Conference Adelaide
Sharon and Vicki were very pleased to attend this conference in November and bring back their learnings to the team. The conference had a jam-packed program of speakers, an event attended by GICS and staff members from the broader VICS network, shared with hundreds of national & international health professionals.
The Victorian Integrated Cancer Services had a trade stand to further promote and inform attendees about the VICS program of work, along with promoting the number of oral presentations and posters on display over the course of the conference to showcase a variety of service improvement initiatives across the state. |
Overall, it was a very successful event and the GICS team are looking forward to attending these opportunities in the future. |
Sharon from GICS, joined the VICS Data Team to congregate together at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) for a day of sharing and insights around the new datasets that are available to ICS in the VALT environment, on Tuesday 25 November.
All ICS were represented, and each ICS delivered a presentation about some of the work they have been doing in the cancer data space. It was a collegial event of willingness to share learnings and ideas with other ICS data members, and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. |
More events like this will be held in future, with discussions set to focus on innovative use of the new datasets that have become available, including the Victorian Death Index (VDI), the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD) and the Elective Surgery Information System (ESIS). These datasets will empower the VICS to identify new opportunities for service improvement work across the state. |
Vale Karen Sanderson
We are sad to share the passing of a valued member of our Consumer Advisory Group, Karen Sanderson.
Karen started with CAG early in 2024 and made significant contributions to a number of initiatives; providing the patient lens in the development of the Rapid Access Lung Lesion Clinic (RALLC) patient information booklet, and the Consumer Engagement Poster 'Walk before you Run' presented at the International Forum on Quality & Safety in Health Care in Brisbane, November 2024. The poster was based on co-design evolution with consumers at GICS.
We thank you for your commitment to improving cancer services for patients, Karen, and both the GICS & CAG teams send your loved ones our condolences at this very sad time. |
Karen Sanderson (above) pictured in front of the Wimmera Cancer Centre
in Horsham, 2022 (photo credit - The Weekly Advertiser) |
Grampians Regional Supportive Cancer Care CoP |
Grampians Regional Supportive Cancer Care Community of Practice to kick off in Feb 2026
Facilitated by GICS, the newly formed Grampians Regional Supportive Cancer Care Community of Practice (CoP) will provide opportunity for the building and strengthening of relationships & knowledge sharing across the Grampians Region, between people who provide a form of supportive cancer care in their role.
It is envisaged these improved regional relationships will assist with connecting the people receiving cancer care with the support they need, close to home, in an efficient and timely way.
Membership is open to anyone working in the area of cancer supportive care in the Grampians region.
If you wish to know more please get in touch with hannah.ryan-west@gh.org.au, GICS Service Improvement Facilitator. |
Pilot Nurse Led Survivorship Clinic Launched |
Collaborating with GICS, St John of God Hospital, Ballarat, launched a pilot of a Nurse-Led Survivorship Clinic. This initiative addresses a vital gap in care, offering tailored support for patients navigating life beyond cancer.
Cancer survivors often face ongoing physical, emotional, and social challenges. The new clinic will provide:
- Personalised survivorship care plans
- Needs assessments
- Referrals to internal and external support services
- Follow-up care and wellbeing checks.
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The clinic model was developed through a co-design process led by GICS and St John of God – Ballarat (SJOG-B), involving medical oncologists, haematologists, oncology nurses, allied health professionals and consumers.
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MDM Tools and Processes Project - Have your Say
Cancer multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) across Victoria are facing increasing pressure due to rising patient volumes and limited resources. While significant progress has already been made to improve MDM delivery, further support is needed to ensure consistent, high-quality care.
MDM Tools and Process Project – Opportunity to have your say
This project will collaborate closely with clinicians to design and implement practical tools and processes that strengthen MDMs across the state.
Initial activity (underway) – Focused discussion with clinicians led by ICS staff to capture:
- what improvements have been made since the 2019 audit
- what is working well in practice
- what challenges exist for MDMs within health services.
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VICS Optimal Care Summits - Consultations
Colorectal Cancer Consultation
The Victorian Integrated Cancer Services Colorectal Cancer Action Register, now available on our website, was developed through our 2024–25 colorectal cancer consultation - find out more.
Head & Neck Cancer Consultation
Our Head and neck cancer summit in October built on months of strategic consultation and analysis. You can now read on our website reports on our:
- barriers, enablers, and preferences survey
- rapid literature review
- patient experience data analysis and focus groups
- prioritisation of unwarranted variations.
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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. |
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National Cancer Data Framework
The Australian Government has launched its National Cancer Data Framework - a key actions of the Australian Cancer Plan that sets strategic direction and priorities for collecting, managing and using comprehensive cancer data. |
New OCP for older people with cancer
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Updated Cancer Stats for Australia (AIHW)
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released updated cancer statistic for Australia in October, including prevalence, survival, incidence, mortality and risk for many different cancers - find out more. |
Government Reforms Passed
Reforms to give Victorians greater access to Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) passed parliament on 14 November 2025.
The reforms remove a "gag clause" that had prevented doctors from raising VAD with patients. You can view the amended bill here. |
Cancer Council Victoria - Annual Stats Report Launch
By keeping records of all cancer diagnoses and deaths in the state, the Victorian Cancer Registry gives a clear picture of the impact of cancer, what's working and what areas need attention. Read the report. |
Cancer Events & Education |
eviQ Education News
Module 2: Foundational radiation oncology nurse has been released - learn more. |
Head & Neck Cancer Support Groups
Connect and find support through Head & Neck Cancer Australia's (HANCA) support groups.
HANCA offer national support groups that are run online by a nurse and counsellor trained in Head and Neck Cancer. These sessions are part of the HANCA helpline, a free service that offers support, information and connection for anyone affected by Head & Neck Cancer. |
- Friends and Family Support Group - register here.
- Patient Support Group - register here.
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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.
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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. |
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Grampians Integrated Cancer Service (GICS)
PO Box 577, Ballarat, VIC 3353
Ph: (03) 5320 4782
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Grampians Integrated Cancer Service is supported by the Victorian Government |
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© 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 |
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