The aim of the project was to facilitate equitable care through co-delivery using a “provider alliance model” between Gippsland and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC). The identified objectives of this project were: improving care coordination and communications; upskilling and improving the capacity of Gippsland-based clinicians to provide neuroendocrine cancer care; and developing a model of care to deliver world-leading care closer to home.
Methods
A multidisciplinary team came together over a period of 12 months to develop a model of care. The initiative was project managed and funded by the Gippsland Regional Integrated Cancer Service, with representatives from Latrobe Regional Hospital, PMCC, Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia and Western Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service contributing. Six meetings were held virtually during the project period. The group reviewed the typical patient journey, the flow of information and referrals between the health services, as well as available international literature. Gippsland-based clinicians were sponsored to attend a whole-day workshop at PMCC. A free hybrid specialist education session was organised in Gippsland for all cancer care professionals.
Results
A model of care was produced by group consensus over the course of the project. The model focuses on using existing health service resources, communication between clinicians and teams, optimal referral to and use of multidisciplinary team meetings, and consensus-based timeframes for high quality care delivery. Three clinicians from Gippsland attended the PMCC workshop. Eighteen clinicians attended the specialist education session.
Conclusions
Partnerships between regional health services and metropolitan centres of excellence are necessary to ensure equitable access to care for all Australians with neuroendocrine cancer. Shared-care initiatives with a focus on access to multidisciplinary care will ensure the complex and varied needs of this patient group are met.