Patients with cancer are set to receive more personalised and tailored care through the new Precision Care Clinic at Randwick’s Prince of Wales Hospital.
NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park says the Precision Care Clinic brings together a team of Australian experts with international recognition to lead this game-changing research program.
The clinic will support the rapid adoption of precision medicine research into routine public healthcare, he said.
Precision medicine is an emerging scientific area which treats patients based on their individual makeup and genes.
It takes into consideration their long-recognised clinical, lifestyle and environmental factors, strategically matching the right treatment or clinical trial to the right patient.
Mr Park said cancer doctors and patients from across Australia will be able to seamlessly incorporate genomic results into care plans.
“This will allow them to comprehensively consider all current and emerging treatment options and their potential implications, including targeted therapy, clinical trials and cancer risk management,” the Minister said.
He said the clinic had been carefully designed to support healthcare professionals currently facing gaps and challenges in providing precision care to their patients.
“I am so proud that NSW Health is a major player in this innovative form of healthcare.”
“This initiative will ensure that patients receive the most targeted and tailored care to produce the most optimal health outcomes.
“In addition to this, this program will also work to ensure that we can adopt this sort of cutting edge treatment to become a routine part of care.
“Clinicians and patients will be converging from across the country at this hub to access this precision care and incorporate it into their treatment plans.”
This project is a partnership between UNSW School of Population Health, Prince of Wales Hospital & South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Omico, Cancer Voices NSW, Australian Catholic University, University of Sydney, and Macquarie University, to integrate precision medicine into routine cancer care.
The initiative is part of a 5-year commitment from the Australian Government to establish multiple precision care clinics across Australia through a $5.8 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund Rapid Applied Research Translation scheme.
“The opening of this new facility is a major step towards changing the way we approach cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention,” said Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler.
“This innovative cancer clinic will combine genomic research and implementation science to ensure the benefits of precision medicine are effectively translated into improved health outcomes for people with cancer across Australia.”
Director of Cancer and Haematology Services at Prince of Wales Hospital, Professor Boon Chua said the Hospital was proud to be playing an important role in embedding precision oncology within the state’s health services.
“Our patients will now be able to access their precision cancer information, advice and care all in the one place, without having to navigate their way through multiple clinics and specialists,” he said.
“The public clinic will provide formal processes that enable specialists in oncology and genetics to make evidence-informed decisions together with the aim of improving patient experiences and health outcomes.”
