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The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.

National Optimal Care Pathways Framework

The National Optimal Care Pathways Framework aims to standardise the approach to developing, updating, adapting, evaluating, and embedding OCPs into cancer care. This will support health professionals and health services to deliver optimal care, and ensure OCPs are available to, and resonate with, people affected by cancer.

What are the Optimal Care Pathways? 

OCPs are guides to best practice care across the whole cancer continuum. OCPs outline consistent, safe, high-quality, and evidence- based care for people with cancer. They aim to improve patient outcomes by setting the benchmark for quality cancer care and ensuring that all people affected by cancer receive the best care, irrespective of who they are or where they live.

Vision

The integration of OCPs into clinical practice as the standard of cancer care, ensuring cultural safety and accessibility throughout the cancer journey, improving equity in cancer care and outcomes for all Australians.

Consultation

We asked
For feedback from stakeholders across the cancer sector on the draft National OCP Framework. We invited input from individuals and groups across all geographic locations, age groups, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This included service planners, policy makers, Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) developers, cancer services, primary health networks, peak bodies, colleges, associations and societies, clinicians, allied health professionals, consumers, carers, community members, and priority population groups.

You said
The consultation process received detailed input from a broad range of stakeholders. Feedback emphasised the importance of refining and strengthening the framework to ensure it reflects the diverse needs of communities and incorporates best practices to support improved outcomes for people affected by cancer.

We did
All feedback was carefully reviewed and considered in the finalisation of the National OCP Framework. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in this consultation. Your contributions have helped shape a framework designed to deliver equitable, high-quality cancer care for all Australians.

Principles

Equity
The National OCP Framework is developed to improve equity in cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and priority population groups whose outcomes are poorer.
Future-focused
The National OCP Framework considers emerging needs and opportunities, so that its components are applicable to both current and future OCPs, regardless of who is creating them and the cancer type or priority population group.
Person-centred
The National OCP Framework is designed to support the OCPs to resonate with all people affected by cancer.
Collaborative
The National OCP Framework promotes system-wide collaboration across the healthcare system.
Cancer Australia

Cancer Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected by cancer, and their families and carers. Cancer Australia aims to reduce the impact of cancer, address disparities and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer by leading and coordinating national, evidence-based interventions across the continuum of care.

If you would like an interpreter to help you understand any information on this website, please call TIS National on 131 450 and ask them to call Cancer Australia on 02 9357 9400. Our business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

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