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Robert Zielinski



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    P1 - Poster Viewing (ID 5)

    • Event: NACLC 2019
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track:
    • Presentations: 1
    • Moderators:
    • Coordinates: 10/11/2019, 16:45 - 18:00, Exhibit Hall
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      P1.07 - External Peer Review of the Western New South Wales Lung Cancer Service – A Unique Regional and Rural Australian Experience (ID 30)

      16:45 - 18:00  |  Author(s): Robert Zielinski

      • Abstract

      Background:
      We present an externally supervised and structured lung cancer peer review process that took place in Western NSW Local Health District in December 2018. Prior to this there had been no similar processes of peer review to guide the development of Australian site specific cancer services.


      Method:
      Experts from the UK, where peer review has been established since 2000, were consulted about the best format for the process. Noting that much of the infrastructure of the existing service was at an early stage of development, a formative process was adopted. The Peer Review Panel represented clinicians from the UK, Queensland, Victoria and Sydney and covered all relevant speciality areas. The Panel’s remit was to critically evaluate the service, ratify the aims for future development and suggest methods to achieve this.


      Results:
      The Panel was impressed by the progress made in two years. Note was made of the potential influence of wider planned developments including a new cancer centre and installation of a PET-CT and MR scanner. A total of 16 topic areas were reviewed with recommendations made for each. Three key recommendations were prioritised. Appointing a lung cancer nurse specialist per site Improving data collection Improving the palliative care service by appointing to positions supportive of the service A detailed report was presented to the Executive Team with plans for implementation and timelines. After just 6 months, Dubbo Hospital has appointed a 0.6 FTE lung cancer nurse specialist and the Executive Team supports the pending appointment of a lung cancer nurse specialist in Orange and Bathurst Hospitals. The working group and the Cancer Director of Western NSW LHD are currently liaising with Queensland Health Service to explore QOOL data system. The Palliative Care Service is facing some challenges in recruiting specialists and nurses. The Executive Team agreed to persevere with recruitment positions.


      Conclusion:
      The Formative Peer Review of our service identified considerable challenges but many opportunities to make progress. The availability of some financial investment in service development requires a clear plan to allocate funds to the projects that will provide the most benefit to patients and enables the Executive Team to prioritise spending on the basis of externally evaluated and agreed