Background: Maximal wait times to receiving anticancer therapy in Victoria is advised by Optimal Care Pathways (OCP). Health system pressures can compromise adherence to these targets. With cancer diagnoses projected to rise 30% by 2033¹, effective mechanisms that improve time to treatment are essential. This study sought to identify areas requiring the greatest enhancement in timely care, and whether nurse navigators improve time to anticancer therapy.

Methods: Demographics, anticancer therapies and dates of key events were collected for new patients seen in lung and gastrointestinal medical oncology clinics at a Victorian public hospital before and after the implementation of a nurse navigator: January 1 2024 to March 31 2024, and June 1 2024 to August 31 2024 respectively. Data was extracted from clinic, multidisciplinary team meeting and chemotherapy unit records. Descriptive statistics compared time to event in each patients care.

Results: 199 new patients were seen in these six months (78 lung and 121 gastrointestinal). The mean number of days from a patient’s ready for care date to first anticancer therapy was reduced by 22 days (45 vs 23) in lung clinic and 15 days (47 vs 32) in gastrointestinal clinic following the implementation of nurse navigators. The number of new patients seen increased by 30% (34 vs 44) in lung clinic and by 42% (50 vs 71) in gastrointestinal clinic. The source of greatest delay varied for each stream and was not greatly impacted by nurse navigators.

Conclusion: Nurse navigators improve timely access to anticancer therapy for newly diagnosed cancer patients. Points that cause the greatest delay in care can vary and require further optimisation.

References: 1.Victoria Cancer Registry. (2023). Cancer in Victoria 2022 Annual Report (p. 112). Cancer Council Victoria. Victorian cancer plan 2020-2024: Improving cancer outcomes for all Victorians. (2020). Dept Health & Human Services.