Wellness programs are being considered as essential components of most new Victorian and interstate cancer centres.
Models of wellness in cancer services around the world exhibit different levels of integration with clinical services, with some having a mandate as a standalone entity.
In 2012 the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre (ONJCWC) at Austin Health opened its Wellness Centre with an aim that patients would experience wellness programs as an integrated part of their clinical care. In the first 6 months of operation the ONJCWC wellness centre received around 1000 visits per month.
Aside from physical co-location, the concept of integration is dependent on a number of factors including clinician support, systems support such as coordinated appointment scheduling and targeted program promotion.
The introduction of oncology massage illustrates the challenges of the integration of a complementary therapy into mainstream cancer care.
With the opening of the in-patient facilities in September 2013, the ONJCWC will become a fully functioning comprehensive cancer centre. The aim to integrate wellness into in-patient pathways presents further challenges.