Organisation Faculty Initiatives
Horizon Scan
One of the Faculty’s priorities is to advocate for patient access to appropriate treatments. To facilitate this, the Faculty of Radiation Oncology developed a 2011 Horizon Scan which reviews current, evolving and emerging techniques and technologies in the radiation oncology sector. For the purpose of this Horizon Scan, the included techniques and technologies were defined as those that were either not in use for an appropriate number of patients, those that were not available to all patients that would benefit from them, and those that are still in development.
Tripartite National Strategic Plan for Radiation Oncology 2012 - 2022
Ten years ago the Tripartite Committee developed a National Strategic Plan for Radiation Oncology (Australia), which was the catalyst for the Baume Inquiry into radiotherapy services. There have been a number of developments in the sector, and these changes necessitate a reevaluation of the current strategic issues affecting radiotherapy.
The Tripartite Committee is currently developing a 2012 - 2022 National Strategic Plan for Radiation Oncology.
Radiotherapy Waiting Times
Long waiting times for radiotherapy have been a problem in Australasia for many years, as resource provision fails to match the increasing demand for radiation services. The Faculty views waiting times as an important indicator of service quality and a useful advocacy tool.
The Faculty has resolved to commence an ongoing digital submission process, and remains committed to the collection and access of waiting time data in the first instance.
Advance practice for Radiation Therapists
The Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) invited the Faculty of Radiation Oncology to participate on the Intra-Professional Advisory Panel (IPAT), which will consider advance practice roles for radiation therapists. This follows from the AIR ‘Discussion Paper: A Model of Advance Practice in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy in Australia, May 2009’ and the presentation by the AIR representatives at the May 2010 Faculty Board meeting.
The Faculty is represented on IPAT by two senior radiation oncologists.
Support to Developing Nations Radiotherapy Sector
The Faculty, in collaboration with the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA), sponsored Nguyen Thanh Binh, a Medical Physicist from Vietnam for a three month observorship at Liverpool Hospital from August to October 2011. The aim of the program is to facilitate transfer of expertise from cancer treatment centres in Australia to mid-level health professionals from the Asia Pacific region.
Summary of visit by Vietnamese Medical Physicist
In 2012, The Faculty will support one radiation oncology professional from the Asia-Pacific region to attend the Faculty Annual Scientific Meeting at Cairns, Queensland Australia from 26-28 July 2012. Call for Expression of Interest is underway.
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