The Victorian Department of Health has been developing a range of cancer service initiatives over a number of years. Further information is available at the Department of Health website.

In 2002 the Victorian Government committed to a statewide redevelopment of cancer service, using ideas expressed in a Cancer Services Framework for Victoria.

A major theme of the Cancer Services Framework for Victoria is an integrated approach to service delivery, which focuses on delivering:

• the right treatment and support to patients, and
• as early as possible in their cancer journey.

Four priority areas were identified for cancer service improvement:

• Reducing Variations in Care,
• Care Coordination,
• Multidisciplinary Care, and
• Supportive Care.

Victoria's Cancer Action Plan 2008-2011

In December 2008 Premier Brumby released Victoria's Cancer Action Plan 2008-2011. The Plan builds upon the successes achieved in improving cancer care and the cancer research effort of the past five years, detailing potential for and committment to further improvements.

The Plan aims to offer the best available cancer care to all Victorians regardless of where they live, and outlines the next stage of actions.

The Supportive Cancer Care Victoria project has been initiated to assist the ICS implement the Victorian Government’s Supportive Care Policy. This policy underpins the work of the ICS to achieve high quality supportive care services for people affected by cancer and provides a framework for achieving Victoria's Cancer Action Plan 2008-2011.