Hume RICS

The philosophy of an integrated cancer service is that hospitals and primary and community health services develop integrated care and defined referral pathways for the populations they serve.

This requires effective collaboration between hospitals and community-based services, including general practitioners. This will promote more effective local coordination of care for cancer patients, and a more rational, evidence-based approach to cancer service planning and delivery.

Patient Management Framework Breast tumour stream: breast cancer.  Published by Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services Division, Victorian Government Department of Human Services, Melbourne Victoria Australia May 2006

The following resources provide information to aid GP referral to appropriate specialists with required initial work-up to allow for a timely and appropriate referral.

The majority of the cancer patient’s ‘journey’ takes place in the community, where GPs and nurses are the cornerstones of continuing care.