Background

In Australia, 1 in 10 hospital admissions are cancer related with 75% of admission representing same-day (outpatient/ambulatory) care.

Tasmanian growth trends reflect this data and predict an increase of 2.5- 3.5% in the number of patients accessing ambulatory cancer services per annum.

To manage this increasing demand for cancer care collaboration with the primary health sector is vital; care must be planned and delivered across the continuum of care from cancer diagnosis to treatment, recovery, and living with or after cancer.

The community cancer project aims to provide patients with the opportunity to receive cancer care and associated medical therapies within their own community.

Method

Building upon pre-existing programs that assist patients to receive care in the community setting, the community cancer care project team engaged with key stakeholders to develop a tailored education and support program for community nursing staff.

This program empowered professionals to utilise their full scope of skills and knowledge to provide care to patients receiving or recovering from anticancer therapies, together with enabling nurses to perform complex medical procedures outside of the acute care setting.

The program relies heavily on clear governance and referral pathways with an emphasis on safe patient care beyond the acute cancer setting.

Ongoing connection to acute cancer setting and strong communication channels between both clinical settings is paramount to the success and sustainability of the program.

Conclusion

Expanding cancer services in to the community setting is a feasible transferable model of care that enables enhanced capacity for treatment beyond the acute cancer and ambulatory care setting. The community cancer care project aligns with the current state health service reform and demonstrates a commitment to a model of care that is focused on best outcomes for all Tasmanians.