Radiation Oncology

Radiation Oncology Inquiry

The Inquiry Committee, chaired by Professor Peter Baume, was set up to examine radiation therapy for cancer in Australia and develop a national plan to promote patient access to these services.

The Inquiry focused on patient access to radiotherapy, the roles of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and medical physicists in the delivery of radiation therapy, including equipment and funding arrangements. The report, entitled A vision for radiotherapy, was presented to Senator Patterson on 18 June 2002.

Report of the Radiation Oncology Inquiry: A vision for radiotherapy

The then Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, released the Report of the Radiation Oncology Inquiry: A vision for radiotherapy on 13 September 2002.

Main report of the Radiation Oncology Inquiry (PDF 859 KB)

Executive Summary of the Radiation Oncology Inquiry Report (PDF 91 KB)

Radiation Oncology Jurisdictional Implementation Group (ROJIG)

The intergovernmental Radiation Oncology Jurisdictional Implementation Group (ROJIG) was formed in 2003 to develop a response to the Radiation Oncology Inquiry: A vision for radiotherapy report. The following link will take you to the ROJIG response to the Radiation Oncology Inquiry The Radiation Oncology Jurisdictional Implementation Group Final Report September 2003 (PDF 324 KB)

Once ROJIG completed its task, it did technically cease. However, the Radiation Oncology Reform Implementation Committee (RORIC) was formed and continues to provide advice to governments on implementing agreed recommendations and providing advice and guidance on national radiation oncology issues.

RORIC fits into the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Committee (AHMAC) structure.

Terms of Reference

The aim of the Radiation Oncology Inquiry was to examine and make recommendations on Australia's usage of radiation therapy as a cancer treatment modality with reference to current capacity, international best practice, clinical efficacy, as well as other cancer treatment modalities. Special attention was to be paid to research work already commissioned in Australia.

The terms of reference for the Radiation Oncology Inquiry were as follows:

• Examine and make recommendations on the number and distribution of radiation oncology units needed with reference to appropriate usage levels and patient accessibility, taking into account alternative models of service delivery.
• Examine the respective roles of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and radiation physicists in the planning and treatment of cancer patients.
• Examine the radiation oncologist workforce including training, continuing education and recertification, remuneration and workload.
• Examine the specific role of radiation therapists including training, continuing education and recertification, career opportunities, remuneration and workload.
• Examine and make recommendations on funding arrangements for radiation oncology with reference to Commonwealth and State funding of public and private providers and other financial considerations including private health insurance.
• Examine and make recommendations on patient access to radiation oncology with particular reference to access by rural patients. Examine and make recommendations on national standards for services and facility accreditation.
• Examine and report on how the Commonwealth, the States and private industry can work together and implement a strategic plan incorporating strategies for data collection, standards and accreditation of units, continuous evaluation of system performance, equipment replacement, State planning and ongoing education and recertification of the radiation oncology workforce.

The documents linked to this page are in PDF format. If you are unable to view them, please contact the Radiation Oncology Secretariat and a copy will be sent to you.