NSW Oncology Group: Head and Neck

NSWOG Head and Neck was established in September 2005, and have a wide multidisciplinary membership ranging from surgeons to social workers, dietitians, radiation and medical oncologists, as well as representation from nursing and consumers. The Group has previously been chaired by Dr Gary Morgan, and is now governed by Dr Kerwin Shannon, Director, Sydney Head and Neck, Cancer Institute; Head and Neck Surgeon.

Key activities of NSWOG Head and Neck

Optimising Care for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer – 16 October 2009

NSWOG Head and Neck hosted 200 cancer professionals at the Optimising Care for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer forum on Friday 16 October 2009. The program and presentations were aligned to all aspects of the patient journey – from signs, symptoms and referral pathways to palliative care, with emphasis on practical strategies to manage the side effects of treatment.

Development of Evidence Based Practice Guidelines for the Nutritional Management of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

A key role of each NSWOG is to develop or identify best practice guidelines. NSWOG Head and Neck identified the need for evidence-based nutrition management guidelines for head and neck cancer. The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) has been engaged by the Cancer Institute NSW to produce and disseminate national evidence-based guidelines to be endorsed by the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), and Cancer Institute NSW Oncology Group (NSWOG) Head and Neck. These guidelines are due for completion by mid-2011.

NSWOG Priority Project: Addressing the information needs of people with head and neck cancer

In 2007, the Cancer Institute NSW supported a project defined by each invited NSWOG as the priority activity to improving cancer care and control in their clinical area. The selected project was supported by the NSWOG membership, aligned to the Terms of Reference of the Group.

The Priority Project for NSWOG Head and Neck was to develop comprehensive locally produced information resources for Head & Neck (H&N) patients and their families. A survey of patient needs was conducted to determine the content and structure of a H&N resource.

Click here to read the Project Summary Report.
Click here to view the COSA Poster 2008 Survey of the information needs of people with head and neck cancer and their relatives resident in the south west of Sydney.

Read Abstracts:

Click here to read the abstract for Patterns of information needs and affective distress for people with head & neck cancer and their family members
Click here to view a survey of the information needs of people with head & neck cancer and their relatives resident in the south west of Sydney

Resource Development with the Cancer Council NSW

NSWOG Head and Neck collaborated with the Cancer Council NSW as active contributing reviewers of its Understanding Head and Neck Cancers booklet. This contribution lead to an expansion of the booklet and co-branding with the Cancer Institute NSW.

Click here to download a copy of the Understanding Head and Neck Cancers booklet

NSW Oncology Group Head & Neck Minimum Data Set Extension Data Dictionary

NSWOG Head & Neck identified succinct dataset extensions as statewide standards to complement the core dataset with additional measures and indicators specific to tumour streams.

Click here to read the draft dataset: NSW Oncology Group Head & Neck Minimum Data Set Extension Data Dictionary.