Strengthening processes to optimise cancer multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) efficiency

Improving the efficiency of cancer multidisciplinary meetings

Cancer multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) are a key component of high-quality cancer care, ensuring patients benefit from collective clinical expertise when important decisions about their treatment planning and care are being made.

Across our 4 member health services, more than 16,000 patient case discussions occur annually at approximately 1250 cancer MDMs. Demand on MDMs continues to increase, placing growing pressure on clinicians, administrative staff and meeting resources. At the same time, MDMs must continue to support safe, efficient, and high-quality decision-making for patients.

NEMICS is commencing this project to improve the efficiency of cancer MDMs across participating member health services. Working with local MDM governance committees and clinical teams, the project will implement practical improvements to referral, triage, and case prioritisation processes. This includes establishing agreed minimum data requirements for referrals, improving agenda management processes, and supporting the consistent prioritisation of clinically complex and high-priority cases.

By strengthening these processes, the project aims to support more timely, focused, and well-informed multidisciplinary discussions, reduce administrative burden, and improve the use of valuable clinical time while maintaining the quality and safety of treatment planning decisions.

The project builds on findings from NEMICS and statewide MDM audits, clinician feedback, and a review of international MDM streamlining practices, which identified opportunities to improve efficiency while preserving the quality of multidisciplinary decision-making. It also aligns with ongoing efforts to support sustainable, high-performing MDMs across our region in response to increasing cancer activity and service demand.