The Loddon Mallee Integrated Cancer Service (LMICS) team value the input of all stakeholders and consider this input to be critical to the success of LMICS. Stakeholders include:

• Health care professionals, and
• Consumers, their carers and the wider community.

There are two direct ways in which consultation is canvassed:

• Clinical Reference Groups (CRGs), and
• Consumer Advisory Groups (CAGs).

Clinical Reference Groups (CRGs)

The membership of most CRGs is drawn from health professionals in the region. The CRGs are based around different tumour streams, and provide an opportunity for health care professionals to provide input into the way cancer services are delivered in the region.

There is one CRG, the Supportive Care CRG, which was formed to address the supportive care needs of patients across all cancers and which includes a consumer representative.

Consumer Advisory Groups (CAGs)

The membership of a Consumer Advisory Group (CAG) is drawn from consumers and care givers. Such a group advises on the needs of the cancer patient and the carer both in the community and the acute setting. An initial objective of a CAG is the provision of information for cancer patients and their carers.

Currently the Bendigo CAG, known as the Bendigo Supportive Care Advisory Group, is actively involved in the development/maintenance of this website and in sourcing service providers as entries in the Loddon Mallee Directory of Cancer Support Services.

If you are interested in shaping the way cancer service is delivered across the Loddon Mallee region you may like to contact LMICS to discuss how you can become involved.