Aims: Ramsay Health Care (RHC) is the largest private provider of cancer care in Australia with 27 hospitals delivering cancer services. This initiative aimed to introduce a person-centred, integrated cancer care (ICC) model in 13 of RHCs’ local cancer networks, to improve the patient experience and access to multidisciplinary services.
Methods: The national ICC Initiative was led by the Cancer Care Service Line and was informed by consumers, staff, and cancer specialists to embed best practice; address access to multidisciplinary services; and unmet needs.
Implementation of ICC was phased including Cancer Care Navigator for patients; screening for anxiety and depression; outcome-based cancer allied health and rehabilitation; and phone-based survivorship health coaching. Key learnings were shared through a Community of Practice. Patient and doctor experiences were monitored at two timepoints.
Results: Thirteen RHC cancer networks implemented the ICC model between March 2020 and May 2021. 1646 patients were navigated, with 948 referred for exercise and nutrition and 101 to rehabilitation. Patient and doctor experience scores out of five were 4.01 and 3.98 and 3.6 and 3.81 respectively. Patient’s distress and anxiety screening scores reduced by 47% from beginning of treatment to end of treatment. Four community of practice sessions were held with over 250 staff, to build organisational knowledge and capability. Of the patients identified with unmet needs at end of active treatment at three centres, 70% enrolled in the survivorship program with high uptake of health coaching and co-ordination.
Conclusions: The ICC model has been implemented successfully in 13 local cancer networks with positive experience from patients and doctors. The ICC model has been an effective way of introducing and expanding local networks for the introduction of services and programs. The phased approach ensured key learnings were embedded across RHC.