WCMICS Implementation of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program

Preparing for Early Detection: WCMICS Supporting Local Implementation of the National Lung Cancer Screening Program

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Australia, with many diagnoses occurring at an advanced stage. The upcoming National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) represents a landmark public health initiative, set to commence on 1 July 2025, aimed at detecting lung cancer earlier through targeted low-dose CT screening.

To support our member health services in preparing for implementation, WCMICS is leading a coordinated regional approach to ensure readiness across the Western and Central Melbourne catchment. Our focus is on enabling local services to integrate screening into clinical pathways, referral systems, and models of care that are both equitable and sustainable.

What We’re Doing 

• Regional Implementation Coordination
  WCMICS has appointed a dedicated Program Lead, Rob Sharrock to coordinate cross-site activity, stakeholder engagement, and shared learning across member services.
• Clinician Site Leads
  Each participating health service has nominated a Site Clinical Lead to guide local redesign and ensure alignment with national program requirements and local capabilities.
• Redesign and Mapping Workshops
  Collaborative workshops have been held across services to map referral pathways, define roles and responsibilities, and explore optimal integration with respiratory, radiology, primary care, and MDM structures.
• Equity and Access Planning
  WCMICS is working with services to identify gaps in access—particularly for CALD, Aboriginal, and underserved communities—and to explore culturally responsive engagement strategies.
• Data and Capacity Considerations
  Our work includes understanding projected screening volumes, low-dose CT (LDCT) capacity, and implications for workforce and service planning across the region.

In the lead-up to the national launch, WCMICS will continue to facilitate shared learning across sites, support evaluation planning, and work closely with services to embed the NLCSP into existing cancer and respiratory care frameworks. Post-implementation, we will shift focus to monitoring, quality improvement, and long-term sustainability.