Input invited on new national cancer agency

The Government plans to create a single national cancer control agency to further strengthen the Government’s strategic focus on cancer control and build a better health and hospital system.

The Government will amalgamate the national lead cancer agency, Cancer Australia, with the successful National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC), the Government’s expert centre on breast and ovarian cancer control.

Stakeholders and consumers can provide their comments on the amalgamation to the Working Group via the email cancerconsultation@health.gov.au by 15 July 2010.

From early 2011-12, this planned amalgamation will benefit all Australians who are affected by cancer, and their families and carers, by continuing the Government’s focus on cancer research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment through a single national cancer control agency.

The proposed joint agency will have a clear leadership mandate across all cancers, and capacity to better focus on Cancer Australia’s responsibilities under the Cancer Australia Act 2006.

The benefits of such an approach include:

• The amalgamated agency would allow the time, effort and expense spent on separate reporting requirements and administration to be redirected, so that the maximum resources go to front line cancer programs and research.
• All cancer stakeholders would have one Australian Government agency to work with, regardless of cancer type, and the Government would have one coordinated source of expert advice on cancer care.
• Breast and ovarian cancer patients and their families can be assured that these cancers will remain a priority of the Australian Government as the new Cancer Australia will continue a focus on breast and ovarian cancer as it delivers the Government’s broader cancer programs and research priorities.

In order to confirm this strategic direction and to finalise the focus and shape of the newly amalgamated agency, stakeholders will be consulted over a four-week period. Close consultation with staff, governance bodies and key stakeholders will be undertaken as part of this process.

A Working Group, chaired by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, will be established immediately to oversee and advise on the proposed transition.

The Working Group will include high level representation from the NBOCC, Cancer Australia, the Department of Health and Ageing, and the Cancer Council Australia.

Stakeholders and consumers can provide their comments on the amalgamation to the Working Group via the email cancerconsultation@health.gov.au by 15 July 2010.