A multi-professional vision for cancer care
Introducing Professor Sanchia Aranda – one of Australia’s leading experts in cancer treatment and nursing – who has joined the Cancer Institute NSW to head the team responsible for improving cancer outcomes.
When Sanchia Aranda made the big move from rural New Zealand to
Melbourne to pursue a nursing specialisation in burns surgery, her
dreams were soon thwarted. She was told she didn't have enough
experience and was made to work in an emerging oncology unit
instead.
"There were rules about these things apparently," reflects
Sanchia. "But sometimes rules turn out for the best, as it was the
start of a lifelong passion for cancer care."
She quickly turned her passion into a highly successful career,
working most recently as the head of nursing at the University of
Melbourne and the director of cancer nursing research at the Peter
MacCallum Cancer Centre. But, even though she comes from a
strong nursing background, Sanchia's vision for cancer care
transcends her original disciplinary training.
"My interest in cancer care has always been more about improving
outcomes (both treatment and support) for people with cancer and
their families," she says. "I am as passionate about the roles of
allied health professionals as I am about nurses. I see cancer as a
truly multi-professional endeavour if we are to make real
differences."
I see cancer as a truly
multi-professional endeavour if we are to make real differences
She now takes on the challenge of Cancer Institute NSW director
of cancer services and information and, so far, is very taken with
the place.
"The Cancer Institute is in a remarkable position to really
influence outcomes. The combination of resources and data was a
powerful attraction for me," she says. "My work in cancer control
at state and national levels, along with my experiences on the
Boards of both the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care
and the Union for International Cancer Control have also taught me
that real change takes systems change.
"The Cancer Institute NSW is well poised to foster systems
change to improve cancer outcomes. The reality is that we can
improve cancer survival and patient experience right now just by
applying what is already known."
Sanchia is looking forward to the challenge of using data from
our registries to guide improvements in services and education for
health professionals, something she believes is crucial to the
future development of cancer care.
"My strategy is always to balance the facts and figures with the
human story," she says. "It is critical for us to keep talking to
real people having cancer treatments and care so that we keep our
perspectives on how the system is working fresh.
"I am looking forward to working in a place that has highly
motivated people, committed to implementing real change in the way
cancer services are shaped in the future," she says.
"I am confident we can achieve measurable gains in survival and
quality of life outcomes."
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