Breast Cancer Shared Care

Shared Care for Breast Cancer at The Women's, The Royal Melbourne and Western Hospital 

About the project
The model
GP involvement and clinic access
Resources
How to arrange annual mammogram for shared care patients
Contacts

About the project             

 The combined Royal Melbourne/Royal Women's Breast Service and the Western Hospital Sunshine Breast Unit are pleased to be trialling a shared care model with GPs for women with breast cancer. The model is based on the belief that patients are better served if their care after breast cancer treatment is shared between their GP and the Hospital. 

The Breast and General Practice Liaison Units have successfully applied to the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre to be a demonstration site for this shared care project, which will address the safety and acceptability of a breast cancer Shared Care model.

The model

In this model, after women have completed treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a summary will be provided to both the woman and her GP which includes:

  • a summary of the pathology of the disease
  • a summary of treatment received and future treatment
  • a detailed follow-up plan. 

GP involvement & clinic access

Initially, when patients consent to be involved GPs will be asked to sign and return a form indicating that they agree to participate in the Shared Care Project. Should there ever be a problem, rapid access to the breast clinic will be facilitated. Please use the Rapid Access Request Form (149KB).

We have had advice that MBS Item # 729 - Contribution to a Multidisciplinary Care Plan - would be appropriate for GPs to apply for in these cases of shared care.

Resources

.The following Resources have been developed by the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre to support GPs and patients involved the shared care model.

GP introductory letter 

Shared care demonstration project information sheet 

Roles and responsibilities of the shared care team

NBOCC follow-up guide for GPs

Shared Care Plan - to be completed by specialist and GP

Rapid Access Request - to be completed by GPs if the patient needs rapid access to the breast clinic

How to arrange annual mammogram for shared care patients

GPs with patients involved in the Breast Cancer Shared Care program with Western Health should refer their patients who are 5 years or more post diagnosis, to Western Health Radiology for their annual mammogram. Please note shared care patients will be bulk billed.

To refer:

Complete the form below and ensure you include:

  1. relevant clinical information relating to the breast cancer
  2. all your details in the requesting doctor information to ensure that results are sent to you

Radiology referral form for breast cancer shared care patients (102KB)

Contacts

If you have any questions about your shared care patients or the model please contact: