The VICS at the ACCN Innovations Showcase 3 July 2025

All Regions

On 3 July 2025, the VICS joined cancer experts from around Australia at the Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network (ACCN) Innovations Showcase in Melbourne.

The ACCN was established in 2024 by Cancer Australia to address disparities in cancer outcomes ‘through an integrated national network that connects cancer services all across Australia’. Members include health professionals and services, consumer representatives, researchers, policymakers, and other organisations involved in cancer control.
The ACCN’s annual Innovations Showcase aims ‘to demonstrate innovation in networked cancer care that improves equity and explore how the ACCN can support the delivery of optimal care across Australia.’

The 2025 showcase featured 3 presentations and 6 ‘virtual posters’ from the VICS:

Session 1 – ACCN member initiatives

Optimal cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people learning package

– Presentation by Jenny Thresher (SMICS) and Dan Carter (Monash Health)

SMICS and GRICS – working with Aboriginal health and cancer services and the VCCC Alliance – have developed an online course on delivering culturally sensitive cancer care, addressing the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is tailored for Aboriginal Health Workers in primary care or hospital liaison roles, and healthcare professionals who coordinate cancer care.

Session 2 – Lift, Shift, and Tailor

Cancer Mind Care: A mindful movement in cancer care

– Presentation by Kathy Quade and Tara Gannon (WCMICS)

A collaboration between GRICS, WCMICS, and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre developed an online platform for cancer patients and survivors to create a personalised Cancer Mind Plan based on their response to mental wellness questions.

Cancer support for people of refugee background

– Presentation by Cheryl Martin (LMICS) and Eu Ta Mue Lue (Bendigo Community Health Services)

A joint initiative between LMICS, Bendigo Community Health Service, and the Bendigo Regional Cancer Centre in 2022–2024 supported former refugees to better understand cancer, prevention, early intervention, and optimal care pathways. The project worked with Bendigo Karen and Afghan communities and service providers to identify enablers, barriers, and myths surrounding cancer, prevention, cancer care, and refugee-sensitive practice.

Virtual posters

Care of the older person with cancer toolkit

– Poster by Sian Wright (HRICS), Tracey Bucki (SMICS), Annie Williams (HRICS) and Seleena Sherwell (SMICS)

The VICS are helping to address the needs of the older person in routine cancer care by supporting health services to implement geriatric oncology models of care.

Accelerating alignment with Optimal Care Pathways: A standardised
approach to monitoring & reporting

– Poster by Sandra Picken, Kathy Quade and Michael Barton (WCMICS)

The VICS have developed a set of standardised clinical indicators, aligned to the Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs), to measure adherence to best-practice cancer care across our member health services.

Colonoscopy access project: Optimising access to colonoscopy in the Grampians

– Poster by Fletcher Davies, Kerry Davidson and Fiona Hodder (GICS)

In August 2024, with Commonwealth funding via the Expansion of Colonoscopy Triage Services initiative, GICS began a large-scale project to improve timely colonoscopy for patients returning a positive result from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

Enhancing cancer care equity through data-driven collaboration and outreach

– Poster by David Moloney (VICS) and Stewart Harper (GRICS)

The VICS collaborate statewide to provide consistent, data-driven insights that support equitable cancer care. This concerted effort has been supported by establishing a joint database and standardising reporting processes.

The development and implementation of the Adolescent & Young Adult Optimal Care Pathway in Victoria

– Poster by Chris Williams (PICS), Justine Carder (PICS), Kate Thompson (Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service), Lisa Orme (Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne), Jeremy Lewin (Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service), Pasquale Fedele (Monash Health), Tegan Dunmall (Monash Health) and Tarnya Hotchkin (Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne)

In 2022, PICS developed an Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) for Adolescents and
Young Adults with cancer, in collaboration with the Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service. Reviews included the Youth Cancer Action Board, a national expert reference group, and public and peak body consultation. The OCP was subsequently endorsed by the Australian Government Department of Health and Cancer Australia.

Enhancing capture of cancer stage at diagnosis: A mixed-methods approach and collaboration to identifying and addressing barriers

– Poster by Linda Nolte (NEMICS) and Cancer Council Victoria

A collaboration between the VICS and Cancer Council Victoria aimed to evaluate completeness of cancer stage data in multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) records and identify barriers.