Referring clinicians

The Precision Care Initiative supports treating clinicians and their cancer patients to access our molecular multidisciplinary team (MDT) +/- patient consultation within the Australian public healthcare system.

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The purpose of the clinic is to provide guidance to resolve uncertainty or obtain clarification around targeted therapy options, or variants found (somatic or germline) and its consequence for subsequent management. It is intended to be of assistance in the primary clinician’s management plan.


How to refer

If you would like to refer your patient to the Precision Care Clinic, please use the following link.

If you encounter any issues with submission, please contact:

  • P: 02 9382 5111
  • E: seslhd-nccc-referrals@health.nsw.gov.au

An example of the form is below.


Why refer?

Our service provides molecular multidisciplinary team support to facilitate discussions about a patient’s care within the framework of complex biomarker testing within the public system. This support may involve interpreting and reviewing molecular results on a case-by-case basis plus providing a forum for discussion and shared decision making amongst oncology, genetics, and other key precision care disciplines, to optimise evidence-based care.

Who to refer

    • Therapeutic advice and recommendations based on thorough evidence review and in-depth discussions within our molecular multidisciplinary team. 
    • Identifying potentially suitable local trials taking molecular profiling into account. 
    • Liaising with local and international experts to ensure up-to-date and evidence-based holistic case review. 
    • Patient consultation (in person or telehealth) with our medical oncology and/or cancer genetics team to support existing care with their local oncology team. 
    • Reviewing tumour profiling report to advise clinicians regarding any clinically meaningful, potentially inherited (germline) genes that may require further follow-up. 
    • Manage genetic testing of blood DNA for select potentially inherited (germline) very high utility genes (including but not limited to BRCA1/BRCA2). 
    • Facilitation of further molecular testing, including germline. 

    We accept Australia-wide referrals for patients who have received tumour molecular results and would benefit from further review or interpretation within the current clinical context. This includes considering genomically informed treatment options and assessing for hereditary cancer predisposition. The clinic is designed to support local clinicians and is not a treatment or a second opinion service.

Patient flow

Precision Care Clinics Initiative Infographic - Patient flow Precision Care Clinics Initiative Infographic - Patient flow

FAQ

  • Based on the provided reports, we offer integrated somatic and germline analysis, personalised recommendations, and access to a network of specialists in medical oncology, cancer genetics, pathology, and bioinformatics.

  • Refer patients with complex molecular profiles, rare cancers, or those who may benefit from targeted therapies or clinical trials based on genomic alterations.

  • Please provide: 

    • A brief clinical history, including the latest clinical letter, for additional context.
    • Relevant pathology reports
    • Existing molecular testing results corresponding to the pathology report of the tested tissue,
    • Relevant radiology reports.

    Our online referral form guides you through the required information.

  • Yes, our multidisciplinary team can help interpret complex molecular findings and provide clinically relevant summaries to support your decision-making process.

  • Yes, our clinic can help in interpreting molecular testing reports from various platforms, not just CaSP profiling. This includes reports from LifeStrands and other genomic testing services. Our team is experienced in analysing and providing recommendations based on a wide range of molecular testing methodologies. Whether you have questions about therapy suggestions in these reports or need help interpreting complex findings, we are here to support you in making informed decisions for your patients.

  • Our clinic can provide advice on additional appropriate molecular testing options based on each patient's specific case. This may include recommendations for NGS panels, RNA sequencing, or other relevant tests. As part of our advisory role, we can discuss the potential benefits and limitations of these tests, including any associated out-of-pocket expenses for non-Medicare funded investigations. However, the final decision to proceed with any recommended tests remains with you and your patient.

  • Yes, we can help to identify suitable clinical trials within Australia based on a patient's molecular profile and assist with the referral process.

  • We provide a prioritised list of treatment options and can assist in exploring compassionate access programs or alternative funding routes where appropriate.

  • We provide recommendations to support your ongoing management of the patient. Our service includes an initial MDT discussion and recommendation. If desired, we can arrange a one-time follow-up consultation for patients who wish to discuss the findings further.

  • Our recommendations are designed to complement your treatment plan. We provide evidence-based suggestions to support your decision-making process, recognising that you have the most comprehensive understanding of your patient's overall care.

  • You will receive recommendations typically within 7-10 working days after the MDT discussion. New referrals received before 5pm on the Thursday prior, will be discussed at the next scheduled MDT meeting. Those received after will be discussed at the MDT meeting the following fortnight.

  • Yes, we encourage referring oncologists to join our fortnightly MDT meetings. Details for participation are provided via email following review and triage of the referral.

  • There are currently no costs for referring clinicians or patients.

  • Our clinic maintains current expertise through multiple channels:

    • Omico Framework: We are integrated into the Omico network, giving us access to a broad base of expertise in genomic cancer medicine.
    • Ongoing Research: Our team actively participates in precision oncology research projects.
    • Literature Monitoring: We regularly review the latest publications and developments in precision oncology.
    • Conference Participation: Team members attend key oncology conferences to stay abreast of emerging trends and findings.
  • The clinic aims to support clinicians integrating molecular results into routine care. To understand if the clinic has been of any benefit to your provision of precision oncology, we will invite you to participate in a 5-minute online survey following receipt of the MDT recommendations. Participation is voluntary.

Case studies

Be involved

Contact us

P: 02 9382 5111
F: 02 9382 5180
E: precisioncareinitiative@unsw.edu.au

Visit us

Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Prince of Wales Hospital
Randwick NSW 2031