Grampians Integrated Cancer Service - GICS

31/07/2025

Service Improvement Facilitator, Kirsten Ives, proudly represented GICS by attending Western & Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (WCMICS) launch of the First Nations Cancer Coordinator Toolkit in Parkville yesterday.

For GICS, this event has reignited a strong commitment to improving cancer outcomes for First Nations peoples in the Grampians region. The event highlighted the importance of integrating cultural safety and community leadership into cancer care practices.

The First Nations Cancer Coordinator Toolkit provides a practical framework for guiding health services toward a future where equity, respect, and cultural understanding are at the heart of care.

Kirsten joined colleagues from across Victoria to support this pioneering resource and is pictured below with Kathy, Michael, Frezsa, Jenny, David, Sandra and Dilu from WCMICS). Seleena, Jane and Jenny from SMICS. Sian Wright from HRICS and Trish from LMICS.

⬇️ Download the toolkit here - https://www.vics.org.au/projects/wcmics-first-nations-cancer-coordinator-role

Photo Credit: Maddison Gray, WCMICS.

21/07/2025

📅 Save the Date - Tuesday 7 October 2025 📅

We are currently planning our 2025 Annual Forum where we will be celebrating our 20 year anniversary. We are pleased to be hosting a dinner event and are looking forward to sharing how our work has grown over the years.

We will be inviting GICS staff, committee members and member service staff we have partnered with, from both the past and present, to help us celebrate all things GICS. Places are limited – we will be reaching out to attendees to register their attendance via email. Find out more - https://lnkd.in/gkt9QZee

mecwacare (Ballan) | Austin Health (BAROC) Beaufort and Skipton Health Service | Central Highlands Rural Health | East Grampians Health Service | Grampians Health | MDHS - Maryborough District Health Service | Rural Northwest Health | St John of God Ballarat Hospital | West Wimmera Health Service |

16/07/2025

Read Now - GICS Winter 2025 Newsletter.

Our news highlights include:
- GICS Annual Forum - Save the Date
- Colonoscopy Access Project Updates & Funding Announcement
- GICS PD Grants Wrap Up
- GICS Staff Updates
- Showcasing our work at conferences
- NEW Patient Resources

Check it out here 🔗 https://bit.ly/4eS9WXf & don't forget to subscribe.

mecwacare | Ballarat Austin & Radiation Oncology Centre (BAROC) Austin Health |
Beaufort and Skipton Health Service | Central Highlands Rural Health | East Grampians Health Service | Grampians Health | MDHS - Maryborough District Health Service | Rural Northwest Health | St John of God Ballarat Hospital | West Wimmera Health Service

23/06/2025

Voluntary Assisted Dying Navigator Service Victoria will be running an online webinar on Wednesday 25 June at 5.30pm about Organ Donation and Voluntary Assisted Dying for VADANZ members.

This senior expert panel discussion will explore the political, policy, practical and pharmacological considerations in the interface between VAD and organ donation (OD) in Australia and New Zealand. The panel will bring diverse experience including observations from a recent Churchill scholarship; leadership in the development of national policies and 'bedside experience' in OD and VAD.

Register and find out more here - https://www.vadanz.org.au/webinars/

Grampians Health | West Wimmera Health Service | Central Highlands Rural HealthMDHS - Maryborough District Health Service | St John of God Ballarat Hospital | Austin Health (BAROC) | East Grampians Health Service | East Wimmera Health Service | Rural Northwest Health | mecwacare (Ballan) | Beaufort and Skipton Health Service

19/05/2025

The Cancer Nurses Society Of Australia (CNSA) is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from CNSA members to join a Steering Committee that will contribute to the development of an Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) for LGBTQAI+ people with cancer.

🔗Please send EOI's by Wednesday 21 May 2025.

Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gRyw_Kam

Grampians Health | East Grampians Health Service | St John of God Ballarat Hospital | Central Highlands Rural Health | MDHS - Maryborough District Health Service | mecwacare (Ballan) | Rural Northwest Health | West Wimmera Health Service | Beaufort and Skipton Health Service | Austin Health Ballarat Austin & Radiation Oncology Centre (BAROC)

09/05/2025

GICS are pleased to share this new resource that has been developed to support those who care for someone with a cancer diagnosis.

The impacts of cancer are not only felt by the individual with a cancer diagnosis, but extends to their carers.

As a result, this one-page resource has developed as a conversation starter for health professionals to engage in conversations with carers of people with cancer – often the forgotten sufferers of a cancer diagnosis.

We hope you and your teams find this a useful resource – please share far and wide.

Learn more here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gZ5DB4iH

mecwacare (Ballan District Health Care) | Austin Health Ballarat Austin & Radiation Oncology Centre (BAROC) | Beaufort and Skipton Health Service | Central Highlands Rural Health | East Grampians Health Service | Grampians Health | MDHS - Maryborough District Health Service | Rural Northwest Health | St John of God Ballarat Hospital | West Wimmera Health Service

07/05/2025

‼️ Last Chance to Apply ‼️

❓ Do you provide cancer care in the Grampians region?
❓ Do you want to upskill but don’t have the funds?

This your last chance to apply for our Professional Development Grant Funding to undertake a training course, or attend a conference, prior to 30 June.

We want to support our healthcare workers by providing funding for capacity building across the local sector to staff providing cancer care in one of our member health services.

Further information can be found on our website 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gPPw-Wjj

Or you can Apply Now 🔗 https://bit.ly/3QWFBf1

mecwacare (Ballan District Health & Care) | Austin Health Ballarat Austin & Radiation Oncology Centre (BAROC) | Beaufort and Skipton Health Service | Central Highlands Rural Health | East Grampians Health Service | Grampians Health | MDHS - Maryborough District Health Service | Rural Northwest Health | St John of God Ballarat Hospital | West Wimmera Health Service

02/05/2025

This National Palliative Care Week (11–17 May), Palliative Care Australia are encouraging open and honest conversations about end-of-life planning.

⬇️⬇️ Register to attend this webinar below ⬇️⬇️

What’s your plan? 💬

This National Palliative Care Week (11–17 May), we're encouraging open and honest conversations about end-of-life planning.

Talking about death and dying isn’t easy—but it’s essential. That’s why we’ve teamed up with our friends at Advance Care Planning Australia to bring you a free webinar designed to build confidence and skills for having these important conversations.

🧠 Learn about:
✅ Key principles of contemporary advance care planning
✅ Best-practice communication strategies
✅ Inclusive, culturally sensitive approaches
✅ Where to find the right tools and resources to support your ongoing learning and practice.

With the right tools and approach, these conversations can become more effective, meaningful, and empowering.

Register now 👉 https://palc.evexus.net/au?event_id=166

02/05/2025

This supportive program offered at Grampians Health Stawell offers the opportunity to make sense of life after cancer, with expert advise and guidance from health professionals.

Has cancer affected your wellbeing?

Grampians Health Stawell invites patients, families, friends, and carers to attend a series of free education sessions designed to support recovery and wellbeing after cancer treatment.

The Cancer Wellness & Exercise Program is open to anyone who has completed, or is nearing the completion of, their primary cancer treatment. This supportive program offers the opportunity to make sense of life after cancer, with expert advice and guidance from health professionals.

Each weekly session includes one hour of tailored exercise and one hour of education. Topics covered throughout the program include:
⭐ Physical activity and exercise
⭐ Advance care planning
⭐ Foot health
⭐ Managing fatigue and cognitive changes
⭐ Emotions and wellness
⭐ Healthy eating and nutrition
⭐ Complementary therapies

Program Details
Location: Community Rehabilitation Centre – Building B, Grampians Health Stawell
Address: 27-29 Sloane Street, Stawell VIC 3380
Dates: Wednesdays from 14 May – 16 July 2025
Time: 9:45am – 11:30am

To register or find out more, contact Jade Ralph on (03) 5358 8507 or email jade.ralph@gh.org.au.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others, build confidence, and learn practical strategies to enhance your health and wellbeing after cancer.

28/04/2025

🖥️ Managing Cancer Pain at End of Life - Online Information Session 🖥️

Southern Metro Region Palliative Care Consortium (SMRPCC) are running an online session on Tuesday 13 May 2025 from 12noon - 1pm.

The session will be presented by Dr Akshay Kulkarni, a physician in General and acute medicine and palliative medicine. He holds a Fellowship to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine.

🔗 The event is FREE and will be held online via MS Teams and attendees are to register here - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FRLBCGW

Further information about this event, and other education and training opportunities visit the SMRPCC website - https://smrpcc.org.au/

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

24/04/2025

Palliative Care Victoria is excited to launch a series of multilingual booklets as part of the Dignified and Respectful Decisions project.

Register now for the launch event -> https://www.pallcarevic.asn.au/events/34/launch-of-the-multilingual-dard-booklets

This initiative aims to create valuable resources to assist family decision-makers caring for loved ones in residential aged care who are no longer able to make decisions for themselves.

A key resource, the Being Prepared as a Family Decision-Maker booklet, is now available in 10 languages. These publications were developed in collaboration with multicultural organisations and community members, ensuring the content resonates with each community. This work reflects our commitment to providing inclusive and accessible support for families navigating these important decisions.

04/04/2025

Read our latest news and updates in the Autumn 2025 edition of the GICS Newsletter.

Our news highlights include:
- Professional Development Grants: apply before 30 June
- Lots of updates on our local projects & events
- Service Improvement Grants wrap up & a teaser for the next round
- Cancer Resources
- Cancer Events & Education opportunities
- Last chance to win $100

Check it out here 🔗 https://bit.ly/42tbrXj

| | | | Ballarat Austin & Radiation Oncology Centre (BAROC) | Beaufort and Skipton Health Service | Central Highlands Rural Health | East Grampians Health Service | Grampians Health Ballarat | Grampians Health Edenhope | Grampians Health Stawell | Grampians Health Horsham & Dimboola