The Victorian Cancer Agency’s “Cancer Survival - Victoria 2012” report shows cancer patients residing in the Grampians Region have a poorer 5 year survival rate when compared to the statewide average overall. For colorectal cancer, the 5 year survival rate over the period 2005-2010 was 58% compared to 65% statewide. However for melanoma and bladder cancers, patients in the Grampians have higher 5 year survival rates than the state average. In the absence of staging data at diagnosis, it is unclear as to why these apparent disparities in outcome exist.
In an effort to improve timeliness of referral, eliminate unwanted variations in care and to improve overall survival figures for the region, a project has been undertaken by the Grampians Integrated Cancer Service to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines for each tumour stream. The key focus of the guidelines is to identify latest best practice referral pathways within each tumour stream for General Practitioners and between cancer specialists, within the Grampians Region multidisciplinary setting.
Whilst a number of similar clinical guidelines for the referral of cancer patients from primary care to specialist surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, and between specialist services already exist, the Grampians Integrated Cancer Service’s Lead Clinician Group has identified the need to encourage local adherence to these by tailoring the guidelines to the Grampians Region context. The guidelines are being developed in consultation with General Practitioners (through the Grampians Medicare Local), the Lead Clinicians group, specialist nurses and allied health stakeholders to ensure robustness and suitability for purpose. This is a work in progress and we present the rationale for the guidelines, process for development of the guidelines, the scope of the guideline documents, timeframes for completion and a completed colorectal guideline.