Feasibility of Bispecific T Cell Engagers (BiTEs) Treatment Administration at South West Healthcare

BSWRICS is funding a short-term project position to assess the feasibility of implementing Bispecific T Cell Engagers (BiTEs) treatment administration at South West Healthcare.

In 2025, BSWRICS completed a scoping exercise within the South West region to understand delivery of BiTEs treatments.

The review found that patients living in the western part of the region currently need to travel to Geelong or Melbourne to begin treatment, particularly for their first two doses. After this initial phase, patients return to South West Healthcare (SWH) to continue treatment in the Day Oncology Unit. This model of care creates fragmented clinical pathways and places a significant emotional, physical, and financial burden on patients and their carers, as they must access part of their treatment outside their local region.

This project will provide recommendations and develop a multidisciplinary model of care which supports facilitation of BiTEs treatments from commencement, reducing the risk of fractured care and reducing the emotional and financial burden on patients and carers.

Aim of the Project

The aim of this project is to assess the feasibility of the introduction of BiTEs treatments safely, effectively and sustainably into the organisation by establishing the required clinical, operational, workforce, and governance frameworks to support high-quality patient care.

Project Objectives

• Establish a project advisory group that the Project Officer seeks expertise and support from for the duration of the project.
• Develop a proposed model of care with focus on service model and structure which incorporates the following clinical workflows:
  • Referrals
  • Risk management
  • Policy and procedure
  • Education and training requirements
  • Project sustainability

Sharna Purcell has been appointed Project Lead. If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Sharna via spurcell@swh.net.au.