Cancer Management
Adult cancer care in the CESPHN region is provided across two local health districts, Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), and one health network, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney (SVHS), encompassing nine cancer centers supported by 73 multi-disciplinary teams and community palliative care services.
Key priorities for CESPHN are to: improve cancer outcomes, improve the quality of life for people with cancer and enhance the experiences for people with cancer. CESPHN’s work in the cancer management space is focused on supporting the delivery of coordinated patient-centered care and enhancing integration across the primary, community and acute care settings.
For more information on cancer management at CESPHN please contact the Cancer Management Project Officers, Lauren Walker l.walker@cesphn.com.au or Rebecca Baiada r.baiada@cesphn.com.au
On this page:
GP Cancer Support Line
GPCanShare incorporates a centralised GP Cancer support line 1800 475 463 (1800 GPLINE) which offers timely support and specialist expertise for all matters cancer and cancer-related palliative care.
GPs, Practice Nurses and Primary care providers located across the Sydney and South Eastern Sydney Local health Districts and St Vincent’s Local Health Network can call for specialist cancer
care advice and information for their adult patients. The support line is a valuable resource for GPs seeking assistance for rapid access presentations, and as an access point for GPs wanting to link their patients into GPCanShare.
Call 1800 475 463 (1800 GPLINE) 24/7 to access our cancer team - Cancer Clinical Nurse Consultant Simone and team are available Monday-Friday 8am-6pm (including public holidays) and at all other times reach our on-call specialist cancer care teams on 1800 GPLINE for cancer expertise and support.
Shared Cancer Care
Patients with cancer are faced with complex decisions and care treatment across different settings. Lack of involvement in the cancer care system by primary providers leads to poor care coordination for patients with cancer. Poor care coordination is a significant contributor to poor patient outcomes, including a high proportion of palliative related hospitalizations.
Shared cancer care enhances integration of the care system, service navigation and allows for General Practice to effectively support the needs of their patients with timely access to specialist cancer expertise.
Cancer Australia has developed the following Principles of Shared Care
- Patient-centred
- Coordination, communication and continuity of care
- Support for primary care providers
- Support for specialist treatment team
- Care is delivered according to best practice standards
CESPHN has developed a shared care model, GPCanShare, that involves joint responsibility of patient care between both primary and acute care providers. A cancer phone line is also now available to provide GPs and practice nurses with timely cancer advice and information on local cancer services.
GPCanShare
GPCanShare is a collaboration between Central and Eastern Sydney PHN, Sydney Local Health District, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District and St Vincent’s Hospital with the aim of enhancing cancer management in primary care.
The project assists General Practices, community cancer services and specialist cancer services to work together in providing care for patients with cancer and improve their experience of the cancer system.
Integrated Nurse Coordinators facilitate seamless coordination of care for patients and liaise between the patient’s cancer specialist team and their General Practitioner. GPs are provided regular updates on all aspects of their patient’s care via their preferred communication method, including clinical and supportive care.
Additionally, the nurse coordinators encourage patients to see their GP regarding problems that can be managed in the GP setting.
All patients with cancer attending the below cancer centres have the option of having their care provided collaboratively by a recognised GP and the hospital-based services:
GPs and practice nurses wanting to be linked to a GPCanShare nurse coordinator, please see contact direct details below.
Sydney Local Health District (SLHD)
- Concord Repatriation General Hospita
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
If you would like to hear more about GPCanShare or would like to nominate your patients for shared cancer care at Concord or RPA Hospital, please contact:
Email: SLHD-GPCanShare@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 9767 6675
Working hours: Monday – Friday (8:00am – 4:30pm)
GPCanShare Social Worker
The GPCanShare Social Worker is a specialist position within SLHD. The Social Worker supports patients referred to SLHD Palliative Care Services for Supportive or Palliative Care management. Early access and intervention of supportive care has shown to improve patient experience and outcomes during a cancer journey. The GPCanShare Social Work brings specialist psychosocial knowledge, skills, intervention, and care planning that is often not shared or provided to General Practice. This role aims to support better integration, communication, and transfer of psychosocial skills.
If you would like to contact the GPCanShare Social Worker, please contact Shannyn Brown on 0476 906 112.
South Eastern Sydney Health District
- Prince of Wales Hospital
- St George and Sutherland Hospitals
If you would like to hear more about GPCanShare or would like to nominate your patients for shared cancer care at St George or Sutherland Hospitals, please contact:
Email: SESLHD-StGeorgeSutherland-GPCanShare@health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: Jeremy – 0408 577 841
Yianna – 0418 428 563
Working hours: Monday – Friday (8:00am – 4:30pm)
St Vincent's Hospital
- Kinghorn Cancer Centre
GPCanShare at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney is committed to helping GPs care for their cancer patients in the community. We facilitate the timely transfer of information and offer specialist expertise by providing a direct contact line to cancer services at The Kinghorn through two experienced and knowledgeable clinical nurse consultants.
If you would like to hear more about GPCanShare or would like to nominate your patients for shared cancer care at The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, please contact:
Email: gpcanshare@svha.org.au
Phone: Mary - 0407 062 048
Susan - 0408 162 786
Working hours: Monday – Friday (8:00am – 4:30pm)
Name |
Title |
Organisation |
|
Rebecca Baiada |
Cancer Management |
CESPHN |
r.baiada@cesphn.com.au |
Lauren Walker |
Cancer Management |
CESPHN |
l.walker@cesphn.com.au |
Kim Rigg |
Cancer Systems Innovations Manager CINSW. |
SESLHD |
kim.rigg@health.nsw.gov.au |
Elena Whippy |
Cancer Connected Care Coordinator |
SLHD |
elena.whippy@health.com.au |
Susan Stapleton |
Haematology/BMT Integrated Care Coordinator |
The Kinghorn Cancer Centre | susan.kyle@svha.org.au |
Mary Hayes |
Integrated Care Coordinator |
mary.hayes@svha.org.au | |
Simone Ray |
Cancer Nurse Specialist |
The Kinghorn Cancer Centre |
GP Cancer Support Line 1800 475 463 |
Resources for General Practice
EviQ is a free resource to aid health professionals in the delivery of cancer treatments. Information fact sheets to assist GPs can be found here: https://www.eviq.org.au/clinical-resources/health-professional-fact-sheets
Multidisciplinary care (MDC) Is considered best practice In the treatment planning and care for patients with cancer. MDC Involves all relevant health professionals discussing options and making joint decisions about treatment and supportive care plans. Visit https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/clinical-best-practice/multidisciplinary-care/all-about-multidisciplinary-care/principles-multidisciplinary-care