Cancer Voices’ action relates to policy and service innovation or improvement, and also to “on the ground” issues experienced by our members and others – their carers, friends and families.
Cancer Voices NSW (CVN), the peak independent organisation for people affected by cancer in NSW, works closely decision-making organisations makers which are able to make a difference for those we represent. This is to ensure that the informed consumer voice is heard, especially when advocating for innovative improvements in cancer treatment and care. Examples being:
o Linking consumers through the CVN rural and remote Area Cancer Services Program, now LHDs, to facilitate attention to their local service and support issues.
o Advocating for and participating in the development of a consumer initiated directory to find cancer specialists associated with multidisciplinary teams, CanRefer
o Successfully advocating for funding of regional cancer centres and participation in their planning and development – eg Central Coast
o Gaining commitment by the NSW Minister for Health through a public campaign, to review , reform and refund palliative care services in NSW
o Developing (with the Cancer Council NSW) a Consumer Advocacy Training program to enable meaningful engagement in the fight to improve cancer rates of survival, treatment, care and systems.
o Developing (also with the Cancer Council NSW) a Consumers in Research Training Program. CVN ensures graduates have the opportunity to apply their expertise by developing a “matchmaking” service for institutions/committees seeking valuable consumer input to their projects. This service has been very successful; to date there are 83 research projects within 21 organisations for which CVN provides consumer input.