Aims:
To illustrate the use of the Statewide Cancer Indicator Platform (SCIP) to identify service delivery gaps and support timely cancer care improvement initiatives in partnership with a member health service within Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (SMICS).
Methods:
In late 2023, SMICS accessed SCIP, a statewide data platform using administrative datasets to present time to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcome indicators benchmarked to state-wide averages. Collaborating with clinical leadership at a member health service, SMICS analysed indicators focused on the percentage of newly diagnosed cancer patients receiving first treatment within 28 days of diagnosis across tumour streams. The health service’s performance was benchmarked against statewide data and presented to stakeholders within the Cancer Program and Quality team. While SCIP data reflects a two-year lag, it provided a meaningful baseline for identifying care delivery patterns and gaps, guiding ongoing and future service planning. This process enabled systematic, data-informed discussions about improvement opportunities and priorities.
Results:
SCIP data (2021–22) showed 55% of cancer patients across Victoria received systemic therapy within 28 days of diagnosis, while this health service was below average at 30%. With SMICS facilitating access and interpretation, the findings prompted internal discussions and action planning. Proposed initiatives included a workforce expansion business case and development of alternative care models such as nurse-led clinics, high-acuity discharge clinics, and care coordination roles. These aligned with Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs) and the health service’s cancer strategy and service plan. Although implementation was delayed due to financial constraints, SCIP provided a baseline for ongoing monitoring. Findings were presented at a statewide forum to inform broader service improvement and cross-institution learning.
Conclusions:
This pilot application of SCIP demonstrated the value of data-driven collaboration. Insights now inform SMICS’s environmental scan program, supporting services to monitor variation, identify outliers, and implement targeted improvements.