NEMICS Supportive Care Audit of Patient Needs

NEMICS Supportive Care Audit of Patient Needs

Supportive care is an integral component of evidence-based best practice and quality cancer care. In 2024, NEMICS conducted an audit of supportive care screening tools completed in 2022 to better understand the supportive care needs of cancer patients treated at NEMICS member health services. The findings aim to inform supportive care service needs, cancer workforce planning, internal and external referral pathways, and information and support requirements.

The supportive care needs of cancer patients remain a priority in the nationally recognised Optimal Care Pathways and the Victorian Cancer Plan. The findings describe supportive care screening time points, frequency, identified levels of distress, problem categories, sub-categories of problems and needs, and improvement recommendations e.g., supportive care referral and linkages.

Member health services have already taken steps to enhance supportive care, with support from NEMICS, by implementing dedicated projects aimed at improving screening processes, developing staff education, and establishing a supportive care committee at one member health service. These initiatives demonstrate commitment to the ongoing improvement of supportive care across our member health services.