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 Care Pathways (OCPs).
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 Vision
Improving patient experiences
and outcomes by
connecting cancer care
and driving best practice.
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.
The NEMICS population is 31% of the Greater Melbourne population and 23% of the Victorian population.
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:
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Epworth Eastern Hospital (Epworth Healthcare)
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John Fawkner Private Hospital (Healthscope)
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Knox Private Hospital (Healthscope)
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Mitcham Private Hospital (Ramsay Health)
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Ringwood Private Hospital (Healthscope)
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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.
Current membership:
Professor Jason Payne (Chair) | Chief Executive Health Services - Mercy Health |
Mr Adam Horsburgh | Chief Executive Officer - Austin Health and host agency |
Adjunct Professor David Plunkett | Chief Executive Officer - Eastern Health |
Mr Siva Sivarajah | Chief Executive Officer - Northern Health |
Ms Cherie Cheshire | Divisional Director - Cancer & Neurosciences - Austin Health |
Professor Phillip Parente | Director Cancer Services - Eastern Health |
Ms Anne Mennen | Eastern Health Program Director - Specialty Medicine & Ambulatory Care Site Director, Maroondah Hospital |
Dr Frances Barnett | Director Medical Oncology - Northern Health |
Mr Edward Savill | Divisional Director, Operations - Medicine & Cancer Services, Northern Health |
Dr Simon Hyde | Departmental Head of Gynaecological Oncology, Mercy Health |
Ms Tanya Darrer | General Manager, Mercy Health |
Associate Professor Wanda Stelmach | NEMICS Clinical Director |
Ms Linda Nolte | NEMICS Director |
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:
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Issues and priorities that would improve cancer services for people living within the NEMICS region
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Identifying strategies and initiatives to improve cancer services within the NEMICS region from a consumer perspective
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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:
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A Common Path - cancer support advice videos
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A Common Path – cancer support advice podcasts
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My Cancer Care Record
Current Membership:
“The cancer health system is a confusing place for consumers on entry and during treatment.
No one enters this system voluntarily.
Through my involvement as a health consumer representative and advocate, I hope to improve
the experience and health outcomes for those diagnosed
with cancer.”
Cindy Schultz-Ferguson - NEMICS Consumer Reference Group member
Mrs Janine Rossely | Deputy Chair |
Mr James Armstrong | Member |
Graeme Down | Chair |
Mrs Anne Kay | Member |
Mrs Cindy Schultz-Ferguson | Member |
Mr Max Shub | Member |
Our Team
General queries can be sent to nemicsadmin@austin.org.au
Ann Yeomanson
Acting NEMICS Director
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03 9496 9968
Operational leadership & strategic directions of NEMICS
Associate Professor Wanda Stelmach
NEMICS Clinical Director
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03 9496 9968
Please contact NEMICS office for any queries
Dr Umbreen Hafeez
Deputy Clinical Director
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Please contact NEMICS office for any queries
Sameerah Arif
Project Manager
(Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
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03 9496 9968
Cancer service improvement and priorities at Northern Health
Nick Baje
VICS Optimal Care Summits Research Officer
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03 9496 9968
Optimal cancer care, tumour specific patterns of care and outcomes, and unwarranted variations
Emma Bernar
Program Administrator
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03 9496 9968
All administrative matters including meetings, invoicing and program
Megan Dendle
Communications Officer
(Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri )
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03 9496 9968
NEMICS website, newsletter and communications
Dr Frances Graham
VICS Optimal Care Summits Project Manager
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03 9496 9968
Optimal cancer care, tumour specific patterns of care and outcomes, and unwarranted variations
Melanie Greco
Project Manager
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03 9496 9968
Cancer service improvement, consumer engagement and grants
Jesvinder Kaur
Project Manager
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03 9496 9968
Survivorship care and cancer service improvement and priorities at Mercy Hospital for Women
Stephanie Lawson
Project Manager
(Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri)
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03 9496 9968
Cancer service improvement and priorities at Austin Health
Ashley Macleod
Quality and Strategy Manager
(Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri)
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03 9496 9968
Quality standards, audit, indicators, strategy
Francesca McGannon
Research Assistant
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03 9496 9968
Cancer care evidence and quality
Claire Rickard
Project Manager
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03 9496 9968
Cancer service improvement and priorities at Eastern Health
Helena Rodi
VICS Optimal Care Summits Program Manager
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03 9496 9968
Optimal cancer care, tumour specific patterns of care and outcomes, and unwarranted variations
Spira Stojanovik
Health Data Manager
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03 9496 9968
Health information analysis and reporting
Linda Nolte
NEMICS Director
(Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri)
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On planned extended leave
Allira Mitchell
Program Administrator
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On maternity leave
The Victorian Integrated Cancer Services are supported by the Victorian Government
© 2021 North Eastern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service
Contact Us
145 Studley Road,
Heidelberg, VIC 3084
P: (03) 9496 9968
F: (03) 9496 3898
The Victorian Integrated Cancer Services acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.