| Strategic Direction |
Objective |
Defining success |
| Providing a quality radiation oncology service |
The current and future standard is a world class radiation oncology service with robust quality systems and standards in place. |
A nationally planned approach to the radiation oncology sector, which takes into account the needs of all cancer patients, their families and carers, which is characterised by:
- A forward-looking strategy to deliver improved radiation oncology services;
- The availability of radiotherapy to all patients for whom it is clinically appropriate which can be accessed in a timely manner;
- A patient-centred, evidence-based and multidisciplinary approach to care;
- Ongoing evaluation of quality assurance, patient quality of life and survivorship
- Continuous quality improvement;
- Engendering leadership and fostering a culture of quality.
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| Resourcing the radiation oncology sector |
The radiation oncology workforce and infrastructure are appropriate to meet current and future cancer incidence. |
A prospectively planned and nationally coordinated radiation oncology service across Australia, which includes:
- Cancer incidence is the basis for planning;
- Workforce and infrastructure are planned together in a coordinated way;
- Workforce training is aligned with service demand projections and supported appropriately;
- A National Cancer Action Plan which includes radiation oncology is adopted;
- Jurisdictional radiation oncology action plans are developed, maintained and integrated with the National Cancer Action Plan;
- Closer consultative collaboration between governments, policy-makers, service providers, patients and the professions to ensure most effective use of resources;
- Innovative models of quality service provision are developed to improve efficiencies.
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| Supporting rural and regional access to radiation oncology services |
Rural and regional patients have timely and affordable access to radiation oncology services. |
A nationally coordinated and focused approach to improving rural and regional patients’ access to radiation oncology services, including:
- Comprehensive, quality cancer care is available to patients, which includes a national patient travel and accommodation scheme;
- Models of care are locally tailored and appropriate to rural and regional areas;
- Strategies in place that recognise and ameliorate the financial and social impact of cancer on patients and carers in rural and regional areas;
- Innovative approaches to patient care are implemented, evaluated and supported.
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Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander access to radiation oncology
services |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients have access to radiotherapy services offered in a culturally appropriate and respectful way. |
A focus on improving Indigenous patients’ outcomes in cancer control and radiotherapy specifically, including:
- Better data collection on Indigenous access to oncological services;
- Assessment of specific barriers to service access;
- Evidence-based strategies to improve access to treatments;
- Improved engagement between the hospital system, local communities and community-controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services.
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| Research and academia as foundations of future practice |
World class research is part of the core business of radiation oncology services. |
Australia is an international leader in radiation oncology research that improves patient outcomes:
- Local research that results in evidence based and timely implementation of new treatment techniques and technologies;
- Increased funding allocation to radiation oncology research that is commensurate with its contribution to cancer control;
- Dedicated radiation oncology research equipment and staff time are included into national service planning;
- Access to clinical radiation oncology equipment time for (translational and implementation) research is factored into facility service planning;
- Integration of radiation oncology treatments into comprehensive electronic medical records (EMR);
- Research is recognised as part of core business for all radiotherapy facilities;
- Multidisciplinary research teams are established, incorporating discovery, translational and implementation research.
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