The WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network Clinical Implementation Unit (WACPCN CIU), under the North Metropolitan Heath Service provides a coordinated state-wide service to cancer patients throughout Western Australia and informs the WA Cancer Plan 2020-2025 (external site).
It leads and influences equitable access to services across the cancer and palliative care continuum. This occurs through a system of supporting, guiding and delivering high-quality cancer prevention, screening, early detection, treatment, palliative and end of life care.
The WACPCN CIU provides clinical advice for the development, design and implementation of state-wide WA health strategy, initiatives and project work. This is achieved through advocacy, advice and mentoring and by collaborating and partnering with consumers and hospitals and health services to improve state-wide cancer and palliative care. This work integrates, harmonises and builds inter-sectoral and inter-jurisdictional partnerships, through representation on state, national and international cancer and palliative care forums, advisory groups and committees.
The unit is led by the Director of Nursing and includes the following:
Cancer Nurse Coordination Service
This service comprises a team of specialist senior cancer nurses located in metropolitan Perth and country WA. They have a strategic and clinical function and support patients by;
- Assisting them through the health care system and finding the best services to help them and their families
- Acting as a central point of contact for patients, families and health care professionals
- Assisting with coordinating appointments
- Providing and explaining information on diagnosis, treatment and all aspects of the cancer journey
- Liaising and linking with other services both within treating hospital and the wider community
The service is available Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (excluding public holidays)
| Cancer Nurse Coordination Services |
| Metropolitan contacts |
Rural contacts |
| Colorectal |
0439 910 367 |
Metro / Rural (Perth Based) |
0429 208 625 |
| Gynaecology |
0400 021 857 |
Goldfields |
0429 080 547 |
| Haematology |
0400 023 562 |
Great Southern |
0427 199 777 |
| Head and Neck |
0400 021 654 |
Kimberley |
0419 950 022 |
| Lung |
0400 023 296 |
Midwest |
0407 789 774 |
| Metastatic Breast |
0427 154 270 |
Pilbara |
0429 083 364 |
| Neurology |
0400 021 649 |
Southwest |
0427 446 028 |
| Skin and Melanoma |
0417 952 129 |
Wheatbelt |
0427 988 226 |
| Upper Gastrointestinal |
0418 531 458 |
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| Urology |
0447 853 516 |
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| Youth Cancer Service |
0400 021 874 |
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Palliative Care
The WACPCN CIU supports the development of an integrated state-wide best practice model of palliative care that enables all people, regardless of diagnosis and setting of care, timely access to high quality end-of-life and palliative care, according to their needs. The team informs end-of-life and palliative care strategy at local, state and interjurisdictional level.
Data and Screening Strategy
The WACPCN CIU supports the implementation of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) (external site) in WA. The team collaborates nationally to improve the NBCSP. It provides follow-up to NBCSP participants with a positive screening test result and liaises with health professionals.
The team also collaborates on data and cancer plan implementation projects that foster and support a state-wide cancer strategy.
Business Support
The team collaborates and engages with key stakeholders across Western Australia: public and private health entities; non-government organisations; and university institutions. The team develop and manages contracting and procurement processes to facilitate and achieve positive outcomes for cancer prevention, cancer education and cancer research.