Locked Down in Victoria

How The Access Project Has Helped To Address Unmet Needs During the Pandemic!

Introduction

We know that equitable access to supportive care is a long-standing issue, that is compounded by the ongoing impacts of COVID19. As one of the most locked down jurisdictions in the world, we heard that supportive care screening and referrals were challenged in Victoria, with underserved groups experiencing greatest disadvantage. Funded by the Victorian Department of Health, Cancer Council Victoria is delivering the Accessing Cancer Care Equitably using Support Services (ACCESS) project which aims to improve access to supportive care through real-time health-professional initiated online referrals to our nurse-led 131120 telephone support line. Any health professional working within cancer care can access the form as a way to refer those with cancer or their carers, family or loved one for support

You can read more about the project, here:
https://www.cancervic.org.au/get-support/for-health-professionals/access-program

Methods

Phase 1 ran from October 2021-December 2022 and focused on improving access and awareness of our services in regional Victoria. Working with regional stakeholders, health services were identified to participate in the program. A series of education webinars were delivered to upskill staff in understanding Cancer Council services and assist in implementing use of the online referral pathway.  Once referrals were received, our Cancer Council 13 11 20 nurses contacted people to follow up on needs identified and then put appropriate referrals in place. These referrals were generally to Cancer Council and/or community services including counselling, financial assistance, tumour-specific organisations of exercise programs. A key part of this process was the implementation of a feedback loop whereby referrers were notified via email of outcomes, once contact had been made. Public media and awareness campaigns were also delivered across the state to increase awareness of Cancer Council services and encourage self-referral, as a complement to health-professional led referrals.

Results

As part of Phase 1, 19 webinars were delivered to 48 health services. Sixty-six online referrals were submitted from regional areas in in 2021, increasing to 233 in 2022, with connections to 13 11 20 increasing by 1,395 (17%) annually from baseline. Similarly, regional referrals to counselling and financial support services have increased by ~165% and 122% respectively.

Conclusions

The ACCESS project has demonstrated direct education and engagement with health professionals can facilitate increased awareness and uptake of community services to support those impacted by cancer who are otherwise unlikely to seek support independently. A focus on ongoing engagement and promotion of services through public education is needed to achieve sustainable system-wide change.  Phase 2 is running from January 2023 – June 2024 and in addition to ongoing engagement with health services, we will also be turning attention to improving support and resources available for the Vietnamese and Arabic communities.

For further information regarding the project, please feel free to contact Katherine Lane, Head of Cancer Information and Support Services at Cancer Council Victoria on katherine.lane@cancervic.org.au.