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LMICS Grant Funding Program 2021–22

Loddon Mallee

Purpose

To support projects to address priority areas under the Victorian cancer plan and target time-limited service improvement projects that could not be funded within existing hospital resources.

What we did

During the 2021–22 financial year, LMICS provided $200,000 of grant funding to 6 organisations providing specialist and generalist cancer services across the Loddon Mallee region:

  • Bendigo Community Health Service – Skin cancer recall pilot project with general practice clinic
  • Bendigo Health Specialist Palliative Care Service – Development and evaluation of a palliative care liaison nurse role
  • Bendigo Health – Cancer prehabilitation program
  • Central Highlands Rural Health (Kyneton) – Prehabilitation and rehabilitation multidisciplinary patient support program
  • Kyabram District Health Service – Palliative care and advance care planning in the acute setting
  • Swan Hill District Health – Aboriginal cancer care and implementation of the optimal cancer care pathway.

Each project delivered a project report, identifying outputs and outcomes.

Outputs

Several project recipients presented project outcomes at the LMICS Annual Forum in November 2022.

Central Highlands Rural Health client prehabilitation intervention (prior to oncology treatment) increased strength, function, mental health, and preparation for treatment.

Swan Hill District Health initiated a referral resource card for First Nations people in conjunction with Mallee District Aboriginal Services.

Impacts

Projects were incorporated into business as usual, whilst continuing to expand and build on achievements.

At Central Highlands Rural Health, 4 staff completed Facilitator Training and 3 staff completed Ex Med Cancer Training. Fortnightly case conferencing (MDT). Introduced home visits (PT and OT). Increase in telehealth services and support. Increase in on-site gym equipment for patients.

Established / strengthened relationship between Swan Hill District Health and Mallee District Aboriginal Services. The service introduced an Aboriginal Health Unit alongside the project. Combined, this resulted in increased First Nations referrals to the service.

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