AGY-4146 | Cancer Institute (NSW)

Full description

The Cancer Institute (NSW) was established by the Cancer Institute (NSW) Act 2003 (Act No. 14, 2003). The Cancer Institute did not represent the Crown. (1) The Cancer Institute (NSW) commenced operation on 18 August 2003. (2)

The objectives of the Cancer Institute were as follows:
To increase the survival rate of cancer patients;
To reduce the incidence of cancer in the community;
To improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their carers; and
To operate as a source of expertise on cancer control for the government, health service providers, medical researchers and the general community. (3)

The following were the functions of the Cancer Institute:
To undertake, commission or sponsor cancer-related research or development;
To facilitate collaboration and co-operation between cancer research bodies and to establish a publicly available register containing this information;
To provide a system for approval of clinical trials and other cancer research;
To foster and support best practice in an evidence-based approach to cancer control participating in the preparation of the necessary guidelines, protocols and practices;
To accredit programs for cancer control including screening and prevention programs;
Monitor and evaluate and improve cancer-related programs and initiatives in the public health system;
Facilitate improvements in cancer control;
To review, develop or commission innovative programs in cancer control;
In co-operation with the Department of Health and other public health bodies to prepare a State Cancer Plan and to keep this under review;
To advise the Minister or Director General on matters related to cancer control, including the assessment of any cancer control program;
To investigate and advise on complementary therapies in the care and treatment of cancer patients including their safety and effect on quality of life;
To obtain, collate, maintain and analyse information relating to cancer control;
To disseminate information and advice about cancer control;
To provide training and education relevant to cancer control;
To consult, collaborate and co-operate with public health organizations, consumers, health professionals, government and private organizations and other persons involved in cancer control;
To engage in fund-raising activities for cancer-related purposes and to maintain a register of bodies that conduct such fund raising activities; and
To perform any other function that is conferred upon it by regulations. (4)

The Cancer Institute could request to receive any information about cancer control held by any person or body. (5)

The annual report of the Cancer Institute (NSW) was to cover outcomes from the initiatives of the Cancer Council, details about the trends in the incidence of cancer in NSW including the mortality and survival rates and an overview of cancer-related research and philanthropic activities in NSW. (6)

The Cancer Institute could make by-laws with respect to the keeping of the records of the Board, procedures of the Board, appointment and functions of the Committees of the Board and the use and custody of the seal. (7)

The guiding principles of the Cancer Council aimed to ensure:
That cancer sufferers received equitable access to treatment irrespective of their geographic location;
That cancer-related services were networked whether located in the private or public sector;
Co-operation between state and national and international bodies engaged in cancer control;
Public access to information about cancer control;
Avoidance of duplication by the various cancer research institutions that would enable depth of research. (8)

The Cancer Institute was managed by a Board that was subject to the control and direction of the Minister except when making a report or recommendation to the Minister. (9) In effect the Institute reported to the Minister for Health, Minister for Science and Medical Research, and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Cancer). (10) The Board consisted of the Chief Cancer Officer and between 7 and 10 persons appointed by the Minister. (11)

The Act prescribed that the Board was to have the following Committees:
Ethics Committee;
Clinical Services Advisory Committee;
Research Advisory Committee;
Quality and Clinical Effectiveness Advisory Committee; and
Any other committees the Board considered necessary to provide advice in assistance in carrying out its role. The role of each Committee was to provide advice in its area of expertise, to assist the Institute in setting priorities and achieving its objectives and to advise on any matter the Board referred to it. The Committee members were not necessarily members of the Board and consisted of persons with expertise in the relevant specialisation of the Committee. (12)

The Chief Cancer Officer, appointed for up to five years, was the Chief Executive Office of the Cancer Institute. The Officer was responsible for the management of the Institute in accordance with directions from the Board. (13) The first Chief Cancer Officer was Professor Jim Bishop. (14)

The Institute could employ the necessary staff to perform its functions, to use the staff or facilities of another public office and to engage consultants for the purposes of providing expert advice. (15)

By February 2004 the following committees and working parties had been established in addition to the statutory ones: Cancer Education and Workforce Working Party; Cancer Information and Registers Working Party; Patient Support Working Party; Population Health and Screening Working Party; Rural Cancer Services Working Party; Standard Treatment Protocols Steering Committee and the Radiation Oncology Working Party. (16)

In 2004 the Cancer Institute' introduced Australia's first cancer plan, NSW Cancer Plan 2004-2006, "from a collaboration of more than 400 individuals, organisations, consumers and community groups". In 2005 the Cancer Institute gained responsibility for the national BreastScreen and Cervical Cancer screening programs in New South Wales. In 2010 Professor David Currow became CEO and Chief Cancer Officer. From 1 July 2013 the Cancer Institute NSW became a pillar (support organisation) of the NSW health system. This saw the Institute governed under the Health Services Act 1997 (Act No.154, 1997) and the NSW Public Sector governance and accountability framework. (17)

By August 2017 the Cancer Institute (NSW) was comprised of three divisions: Cancer Screening and Prevention; Cancer Services and Information; and, Strategic Research Investment. These divisions were supported by: Finance and Administration; Human Resources; Information Technology; and, Communications. (18)

By November 2022, Communications support was replaced by Strategic Communications and Public Affairs. (19)

Endnotes
1. Cancer Institute (NSW) Act 2003, s.4.
2. NSW Government Gazette No.126, 15 August 2003, p.7903.
3. Cancer Institute (NSW) Act 2003, s.5.
4. Ibid., s.12.
5. Ibid., s.6.
6. Ibid., s.13.
7. Ibid., s.14.
8. Ibid., s.19.
9. Ibid., s.7.
10. Cancer Institute website, http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/cancer_inst/about/about.html (accessed 9 February 2004).
11. Cancer Institute (NSW) Act 2003, s.8.
12. Ibid., s.9.
13. Ibid., s.10.
14. Cancer Institute website, http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/cancer_inst/about/advisory.html (accessed 8 February 2004).
15. Cancer Institute (NSW) Act 2003 s.11.
16. Cancer Institute website http://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/cancer_inst/about/advisory.html (accessed 8 February 2004).
17. Cancer Institute website, About Us, Our History, https://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/about-us/our-history (accessed 14 May 2018); Cancer Institute (NSW) Amendment Act 2012 (Act No.78, 2012) Sch.1 [3] amending s.10 of the Principal Act.; Commencement Proclamation under the Cancer Institute (NSW) Amendment Act 2012 No 78 (2013 No 31); notified NSW Legislation Website, 1 February 2013.
18. Cancer Institute website, About Us, Organisational Structure, https://www.cancerinstitute.org.au/about-us/organisational-structure (accessed 14 May 2018).
19. Cancer Institute NSW website, What we do, Our Organisation, https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/ (accessed 8 November 2022).