Who We Are

About Us

The North Eastern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (NEMICS) is one of nine Victorian Integrated Cancer Services(VICS) working in partnership with health services to facilitate coordinated and high quality cancer care, system integration and collaboration across their geographical areas.  

The VICS have common responsibilities for implementation locally of key areas of the Victorian Cancer Plan 2020 - 2024 and the adoption of the optimal cancer care pathways.

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​NEMICS undertakes its role by consulting and collaborating with consumers, public and private health services, general practitioners, the community health sector and our funders, the Department of Health and Human Services.

Our Region

NEMICS region covers the local government areas of Banyule, Boroondara, Darebin, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Nillumbik, Whitehorse, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges. It is home to approximately 1.5 million people (ABS 2018).

NEMICS has one of the fastest growing local government areas (LGAs) in Whittlesea, which grew 27.5% over the last 5 years, and one of the areas of the greatest reduction in population in the Mill Park area in north eastern outskirts. 

Partner Organisations

NEMICS network partners are four public health services: Austin, Eastern and Northern Health and Mercy Hospital for Women. These organisations are joined by a memorandum of understanding and provide governance for the network.

Private hospitals are an important part of the cancer care system. Across Victoria as many as 50% of cancer patients receive care in a private hospital. 10% of patients receive care in both public and private health services in a single year.

The private hospitals providing care to residents of the NEMICS region are:

• Epworth Eastern Hospital (Epworth Healthcare)

• John Fawkner Private Hospital (Healthscope)

• Knox Private Hospital (Healthscope)

• Mitcham Private Hospital (Ramsay Health)

• Ringwood Private Hospital (Healthscope)

• Warringal Private Hospital (Ramsay Health)

NEMICS is also building relationships with other providers of cancer care. These organisations include Primary Health Networks, Palliative Care Consortia, Primary Care Partnerships, research institutions and private providers of specialist care, such as radiotherapy.

Our Structure

Our work is governed by a Governance Committee and Consumer Reference Group.

Governance Committee

The NEMICS Governance Committee provides leadership and vision. Its key role is to support and provide oversight for the development and ongoing operations of NEMICS. It promotes and facilitates a sustainable model for collaboration and partnership between our stakeholders to achieve policy and strategic goals.

The Committee is comprised of health service CEOs, consumer and primary care representatives, and senior clinical and management representatives from each participating health service.

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Current membership:

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Consumer Reference Group

The Consumer Reference Group (CRG) is a key component of NEMICS governance structure. The (CRG) comprises nine people, each whom have a personal cancer experience and a passion to help improve outcomes for people living with cancer in this region.

Established in 2011, the CRG provides an opportunity for members to contribute to the decision-making process about service improvement initiatives overseen by NEMICS.  This is achieved by:

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• Providing advice to the NEMICS program office and Governance Committee regarding:

  • Issues and priorities that would improve cancer services for people living within the NEMICS region

  • Identifying strategies and initiatives to improve cancer services within the NEMICS region from a consumer perspective

• Planning, developing and assisting the implementation of consumer driven quality improvement projects. Projects will be identified by the Consumer Reference Group in response to an identified need and approved by the NEMICS program office.

Learn more about the work NEMICS consumers are involved with:

• A Common Path - cancer support advice videos

• A Common Path – cancer support advice podcasts

• Community Ambassador Program

• My Cancer Care Record

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Current Membership:

Our Team

Please note that we are currently working offsite during COVID-19. All staff are contactable via email or general queries can be sent to nemicsadmin@austin.org.au