Services and systems
Quality national, jurisdictional and local data are critical to understanding variations in cancer care and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Collection and analysis of such data requires improvements in identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people undergoing care across the cancer continuum, and an understanding of why individuals may choose not to identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Integration of service delivery pathways are required to strengthen the consistency and quality of care. This will be facilitated through health system infrastructure, including comprehensive data capture, timely information transfer and defined protocols and standards.
Data availability
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare collects and reports data from jurisdictional efforts to identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within population-based cancer datasets. However, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who choose not to identify in hospital or with their regular healthcare provider is unknown, as are the reasons for choosing not to identify. For more information see ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identification in national cancer data’ page
There are no national data available about integration of service delivery pathways relevant to the delivery of optimal cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Further information
Cancer Australia. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Framework. Priority 7: Strengthen the capacity of cancer related services and systems to deliver good quality, integrated services that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.