Background: There is emerging evidence that First Nations Cancer Coordinator (FNCC) programs can improve cultural safety and the accessibility of cancer care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (hereafter, respectfully referred to as First Nations). Building on the success of a pilot FNCC role in Melbourne, an implementation toolkit was developed to support health services in adopting and sustaining these roles across diverse settings.
Methods: Using a co-design approach, this project was guided by a First Nations Community Advisory Group to ensure community leadership and cultural integrity. The resulting FNCC Implementation Toolkit synthesises implementation strategies, mixed-methods evaluation from the pilot project, and community feedback. It is grounded in established implementation science frameworks, including the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and the Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with cancer. To support translation into practice, the toolkit was designed with an emphasis on usability and adaptability, including practical tools, templates, and step-by-step guidance tailored to diverse service contexts.
Impact on practice: The toolkit offers a practical and scalable guide for establishing culturally safe cancer coordination programs for First Nations people living with cancer. It enables health services to move beyond intention and into action by offering a structured approach to implementation. It is designed for use by health service leaders, clinicians, and policymakers seeking to implement or strengthen FNCC roles within their services across Australia. The toolkit supports efforts to strengthen community governance, foster stakeholder partnerships, integrate roles within existing services, and plan for long-term sustainability—ultimately improving access and outcomes for First Nations people.
Discussion: Lessons from the pilot and toolkit development highlight the importance of community partnership, cultural safety, and flexibility. Future directions include evaluating the toolkit’s effectiveness across varied settings, including Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations to support national scale-up.