LMICS

A key regional gap has been identified in our resources for providing psychosocial care and support to patients with cancer.

Regional initiatives to up-skill staff providing such services (eg psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers) include:

• education, information and support to develop the psychosocial care expertise of staff,
• trial of professional supervision to assist staff in identification of appropriate supportive care services,
• mapping of regional gaps and investigation of tools to assist in the identification of patient needs and appropriate referral,
• advocacy and lobbying for increased resources for psychosocial care,
• submission to agencies for funding to support specific initiatives including supportive care for women with breast cancer, and
• the ongoing provision of supportive care information and education to consumers.