About us

The Cancer Network WA (CNWA), formally known as WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network Clinical Implementation Unit, under the North Metropolitan Heath Service provides a coordinated state-wide service to cancer patients throughout Western Australia and informs the WA Cancer Plan 2020-2025 (external site).

It leads and influences equitable access to services across the cancer and palliative care continuum. This occurs through a system of supporting, guiding and delivering high-quality cancer prevention, screening, early detection, treatment, palliative and end of life care.

The CNWA provides clinical advice for the development, design and implementation of state-wide WA health strategy, initiatives and project work. This is achieved through advocacy, advice and mentoring and by collaborating and partnering with consumers and hospitals and health services to improve state-wide cancer and palliative care. This work integrates, harmonises and builds inter-sectoral and inter-jurisdictional partnerships, through representation on state, national and international cancer and palliative care forums, advisory groups and committees.

The unit is led by the Director of Nursing and includes the following: 

Palliative Care

The CNWA supports the development of an integrated state-wide best practice model of palliative care that enables all people, regardless of diagnosis and setting of care, timely access to high quality end-of-life and palliative care, according to their needs. The team informs end-of-life and palliative care strategy at local, state and interjurisdictional level.

Data and Screening Strategy

The CNWA supports the implementation of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) in WA. The team collaborates nationally to improve the NBCSP. It provides follow-up to NBCSP participants with a positive screening test result and liaises with health professionals.

The team also collaborates on data and cancer plan implementation projects that foster and support a state-wide cancer strategy.

Business Support

The team collaborates and engages with key stakeholders across Western Australia: public and private health entities; non-government organisations; and university institutions. The team develop and manages contracting and procurement processes to facilitate and achieve positive outcomes for cancer prevention, cancer education and cancer research.