Review of Cancer Governance within the WA Health System

The WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network (WACPCN) commenced in April 2006, with a vision to lead and influence equitable access to cancer control and end of life care in Western Australia, by providing a mix of clinical service delivery and policy roles.

The introduction of the Health Services Act 2016 required a review of the functions of the WACPCN and the re-alignment of functions to the appropriate entity under that legislation. In March 2018 the WACPCN was divided into a Policy Unit (PU) and a Clinical Implementation Unit (CIU)

• the PU was to retain leadership for policy development (Cancer Plan, Palliative Care Strategy, Mandatory Policies), policy evaluation and advice, management of the cancer clinical fellowship process and the tumour collaborative lead (now the Cancer Lead) program.

• the CIU was to be responsible for operational services that were patient and clinician facing including Cancer Nurse Coordination Service, implementation of the National Bowel Cancer Screening program, Database development including Multi-Disciplinary Team functions, management of cancer-related contracts, implementing the Cancer Plan especially implementation of optimal care pathways.

It is proposed that an independent review be undertaken to assess the current state of Cancer governance to support delivery of the Cancer program