Aim
To describe the development of a statewide implementation framework that translates evidence and existing models of care into coordinated improvements in cancer survivorship services across Victoria.
Methods
The Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS) comprises nine Integrated Cancer Services partnering with more than 120 public health services across metropolitan and regional Victoria. To address variation in survivorship care, VICS developed a coordinated implementation framework incorporating: (1) a statewide environmental scan to identify existing survivorship services and gaps; (2) a publicly available catalogue of established models of care; (3) a centrally coordinated governance and implementation network; (4) targeted seed funding aligned to identified system priorities; and (5) a standardised evaluation framework to monitor implementation and outcomes. Local Integrated Cancer Services partnered with health services to adapt evidence-based models to their local context while maintaining statewide oversight and shared learning.
Results
The environmental scan identified 76 survivorship services, demonstrating substantial variation in service availability, workforce models and tumour stream coverage across Victoria. Findings directly informed funding priorities, resulting in 14 implementation projects targeting identified gaps, including nurse-led clinics, allied health-led models, survivorship information resources and structured discharge pathways. Central coordination facilitated shared learning, reduced duplication of effort and enabled implementation support across all Integrated Cancer Services while allowing local adaptation to differing service contexts. Common evaluation measures and governance structures have established a statewide mechanism for monitoring implementation progress and informing future service development.
Conclusion
Rather than developing isolated local initiatives, the VICS Survivorship Program demonstrates how coordinated system leadership can translate evidence into practice through a structured implementation framework. Combining statewide service mapping, shared implementation resources, targeted investment and common evaluation creates a sustainable mechanism for continuous improvement that may be transferable to other cancer care and health service improvement programs.