Expanding Breast Cancer Services in Underserved Communities

Background

In my role as the Nursing Program Lead for a breast cancer not-for-profit organisation, I managed a portfolio of 60 Breast Care Nurses across the state of New South Wales, Australia. The organisation aimed to improve access to breast cancer services in rural and remote areas, where resources were limited.

Approach

Strategic Recruitment and Placement
Through a comprehensive needs assessment of underserved areas, nurses were strategically recruited and placed in collaboration with Government Health Districts to address critical service gaps.

Stakeholder Engagement
Strong relationships were established with Government Health Districts, hospital administrators, and government agencies to align goals and resources effectively. Regular stakeholder meetings were co-chaired to foster transparent communication and ensure accountability.

Data-Driven Decision Making
Quantitative analyses were conducted to track breast cancer service utilisation and outcomes in targeted areas. These insights informed refined placement strategies and supported advocacy for additional resources.

Monitoring and Evaluation
Follow-up sessions were conducted with Nurses to assess satisfaction, identify barriers, and highlight areas for improvement, ensuring continuous support and growth.

Capacity Building
Training programs were designed and delivered to equip new recruits with essential non-clinical skills for breast cancer care. This included hands-on training in technology applications, database management systems, report generation, and clinical data analysis, all aimed at improving efficiency and enhancing service delivery.

Results

1. Increased the number of Breast Care Nurses in undeserved areas by approximately 15% within one year.

2. Expanded access to breast cancer services in rural communities, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

3. Enhanced stakeholder collaboration, resulting in long-term partnerships for sustainable healthcare delivery.

Lessons Learned

This experience reinforced the importance of data-driven strategies, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building in addressing healthcare inequities. It also highlighted the need for tailored solutions that consider the unique challenges of priority populations.