Health Service Innovation Grants (HSIG)

Research summaries
01 Dec 2009
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More cancer patients requiring treatment and support over the coming decade will need effectively delivered services within limited healthcare budgets. This requires the piloting, evaluation and translation of ideas and new service models to ensure that current service delivery is effective, efficient and sufficiently robust to cope with future demand.

Ideas for many service-based improvements in healthcare come from the service delivery coalface with many innovative projects currently being undertaken by both private and public cancer service providers within the NSW health system. Borrowing from the NHS Cancer Program in the UK which has actively involved cancer services in redesign initiatives through a collaborative approach, the Health Services Innovation Grants (HSIG) aim to harness innovation in cancer services in NSW and support project teams to pilot and develop these ideas.

For more comprehensive information on the program, please contact Penny Adams on (02) 8374 5600.

Round 1 (2007-08) outcomes

Workforce development

Project Key outcomes

Aboriginal Cancer Care Coordinator

Strengthened community support with facilitation of workshops. Established links to research projects with a focus on Aboriginal people with cancer.

Early Intervention in Cancer Control

Development of transferrable tools (to other Divisions) including a local referral pathway and a patient assessment tool (for pre and post assessment).

Establishment of a clinical Radiation Therapist

Project demonstrated the potential for alternate career pathways for Radiation Therapists (RT's) and nurses.

Expanding psycho-oncology support to rural areas

Training package was developed to meet the needs identified by analysis of the KEN assessment.

Implementation of an acute ambulatory nursing assessment unit

Oncology patients were assessed and treated for toxicity by staff who were best trained to assess toxicity and identify complications.

Neuro-Oncology Nurse Coordinator

Successfully introduced coordinator role and developed stronger links with broader cancer care services.

Patient Navigator Breast Care Nurse

Enhanced communication to maintain standards of care through the appointment of Patient navigator Breast care Nurse.

Physician Assistant and Treatment Coordinator in Haematology

Demonstration of improved quality of direct patient care by personally navigating the patients through complex treatment protocols.

Service redesign

Project Key outcomes

Clinical networks for Cancer and Palliative Care Services

Change management strategies and a plan to communicate information relating to the implementation of the Clinical Stream were key components of this project.

Collaboration between Cooma & Monaro Oncology Services

Strengthened communication links and partnerships between nursing staff and Canberra specialists.

End of Life Care project

Evidence of an increased number of patients supported by the end of life care clinical pathway.

Establishment of a pilot program to evaluate Weight loss prognostic indicators

Confirmed that a multidisciplinary approach is vital in providing supportive care for cancer patients with the anorexia cachexia syndrome.

Radiation Therapist led treatment reviews

Demonstrated improvements as a result of the project by optimising quality of care of patients during radiation therapy by implementation of an innovative workflow model.

Complementary Service Arrangements

Project Key outcomes

Drug project

Review of protocols which enabled development of new evidence based protocols making a significant impact on expenditure

Improving medication access & management for Palliative Care patients

Identified timely and cost-efficient medication access issues experienced by the patients in the community for both PBS listed and non-PBS listed medications.

Reviewed the 'cost-to-hospital' for continued supply of non-PBS listed and 'off-label' medications to community palliative care patients.

Integrated regional cancer transport service model

Streamlined & improved communication between local transport providers was achieved through direct contact between treatment clinics and cancer transport service regarding scheduling of patient appointments; and direct contact with cancer transport service providers regarding service availability.

Pathology Ordering project

Data was refined to ensure accurate and appropriate pathology ordering across the network.

Round 2 (2008-09) outcomes

Workforce Development and Education/Training

Project Key outcomes

Radiation oncology training network

Development of a method for rotating new Registrars through the Southern NSW radiation oncology services.

Fostering Innovation In Palliative Care Distance Education

Development of an ongoing, interactive, distance education program to meet the educational demands of rural nursing palliative care staff.

Service redesign

Project Key outcomes

A Rural Oncology Model of care: Guideline and Protocol Development

Production of transferable treatment protocol documentation for Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer and Lung Cancer.

Development and evaluation of a new breast care nurse model for women with advanced / metastatic breast cancer

Introduction of a specialist breast care nurse to address the unmet psychosocial needs of women.

Innovation in breast cancer care Expanding the role of the breast physician in the multidisciplinary team

Demonstration of the use of a breast physician for the ongoing care of those women not requiring immediate surgery.

Volunteer Support for Children and Families Receiving Palliative Care Services at Home

Development of a formal continuing professional development program for volunteers working at Bear Cottage, Manly.

Information technology

Project Key outcomes

Expansion of QUICATOUCH

Expanded use of the QUICKATOUCH software to implement carer screening, continued building of a substantial database on screening and further appraisal of the outcomes of screening.

Integrating Area Clinical Cancer Registry Data into a State and National Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Clinical Information System

Test and implement a secure, web-based, interactive clinical management and information system for bone and soft tissue malignancies (sarcoma)

Service Delivery and Complementary Service Arrangements

Project Key outcomes

Consumer Participation Program

Development of a systematic model for obtaining feedback from people with cancer about their care.

Out on a limb - Border partnerships for Lymphoedema support & training

Improved knowledge and skills of health professionals in the prevention, early recognition, and intervention for people with, or at risk of developing lymphoedema.

Aboriginal Health & Cancer Services Working Together

Development of a culturally sensitive cancer training and support program for staff together with educational resources.

Coonamble Project

Use a health promotion and clinical training and education approach to increase the cervical screening rates for Aboriginal women in the Coonamble area of NSW.
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