South West Allied Health Oncology Model of Care Project
South West Allied Health Oncology Model of Care Project
At the end of 2025, BSWRICS funded a 6 month project to enable South West Healthcare to scope an Allied Health Oncology Model of Care (prehabilitation through to survivorship) for the South West of Victoria.
Cancer Australia recognises implementation of best practice cancer care in regional and rural locations requires a multidisciplinary focus. An integrated team approach where medical and allied health professionals collaboratively develop individualised treatment care plans for patients across the continuum of care is pivotal in cancer care.
Cancer treatment is currently delivered across multiple health services in South West Victoria including South West Healthcare (SWH), Portland District Health (PDH), Western District Health Services (WDHS), ICON Warrnambool and St John of God Warrnambool.
In the South West of Victoria, public, private and community Allied Health providers across the five local government areas (Corangamite, Moyne, Warrnambool, Southern Grampians and Glenelg) have many and varied approaches to cancer care with limited oversight or connectivity. Allied Health workforce challenges in small rural areas likely contributes to this picture but even where services are available, participation in cancer allied health programs is estimated to be between 10-20% with limited intervention in the “prehabilitation” phase.
Through its partnership approach, BSWRICS has a unique opportunity to collaborate effectively and ensure all South West Victorians have equitable access to best practice and consistent allied health interventions across the continuum of cancer care. Our focus is on ensuring equitable access to evidence-based allied health oncology interventions throughout all phases of care as outlined in the diagram below:
Multiphasic Prehabilitation Across the Cancer Continuum: A Narrative Review and Conceptual Framework – figure 2
Aim of the project
To develop recommendations for an optimal allied health oncology model of care across the South West, supporting integrated care and equitable access to allied health services throughout the cancer continuum of care.
Project objectives
- Design and develop an optimal allied health oncology model of care for South West Victoria that aligns with best practice guidelines, Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs) and both the Victorian and Australian Cancer Plans.
- Develop clearly defined referral pathways that support timely and appropriate access to allied health services across the South West.
- Finalise the proposed allied health oncology model of care and obtain a formal agreement and endorsement from key stakeholders.
Project Wrap Up
Through consultation with consumers, clinicians and health services, the project identified a strong foundation of allied health care across the South West, while highlighting opportunities to further enhance collaboration, referral pathways, communication and equitable access to supportive care throughout the cancer journey.
The report outlines a range of potential future directions to support more integrated, person-centred cancer care and inform ongoing service planning. As the report is currently progressing through governance and endorsement processes, the findings and recommendations remain preliminary and will help guide future discussions with regional partners and stakeholders.
