Thursday, March 11, 2010

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Resumed

The Department of Health and Ageing has restarted the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) from 2 November 2009 as the Therapeutic Goods Administration has listed a replacement faecal occult blood test (FOBT) kit.

The Program was suspended in May 2009 as a result of a significant decline in the positivity rate from kits used in the program. This was later linked to a degradation of any haemoglobin present in the FOBT in temperatures above 25C.

The new FOBT kits have been approved with the proviso that completed samples must be analysed within 14 days and stored under 30C. Retesting is already underway with priority given to participants who received a negative or inconclusive result since 1 December 2008.

Click here to obtain more information or visit the program website at www.cancerscreening.gov.au or contact the Program Information Line: 1800 118 868

If your practice has questions or would like a practice visit to educate the practice team on the NBCSP contact Melissa Glogolia at the GP Network on 8878 3755.

Important Contacts

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Information Line: 1800 118 868
For practice and patient materials, GP forms and multilingual information contact the

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Toll Free Fax Number: 1800 115 062
To send patient assessments to the NBCSP Registry

Cancer Council Help Line: 13 11 20
To help patients with concerns/questions – trained nurses
Advice to GPs on diagnosis, treatment and care
FOBT kits for non-eligible patients for pharmacies, health insurance funds

“Insure”Tel. 1800 556 575 (approx $34)
FOBT kits for non-eligible patients

Translating and Interpreting Service: 13 14 50

Dorevitch Pathology FOBT Helpline: 1300 738 365
For people who have problems understanding the FOBT kit instructions.

Information for General Practice

Preparing your Practice
GP Quick Guide - Role of GPs & Duty of Care
Simplified GP Quick Guide - Developed by the GP Network
Screening Pathway
Clinical Practice guidelines – summary

Purpose of National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Forms

The purpose of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) Forms is to provide information to the NBCSP Register about participants in the Program.
System Requirements
Smart Forms
Instructions for Accessing and use of Electronic Forms
Links to electronic forms - ONLINE SUBMISSION ONLY

Manual (Printer Friendly) Forms
Payment Accounts Details for Service Provider Form
Assessment Form - Referred for colonoscopy/Not referred for colonoscopy following a positive FOBT result.

Information Payment
 
Clinical Software Templates

Instruction on how to upload the template
This template can be integrated into Medical Director, Best Practice, ZedMed and GP Complete. The template will be accepted by the NBCSP National Register as it includes the same information and format as the paper-based form.

National Bowel Cancer Screening Program GP Assessment Form
The form was developed by the North East Valley Division of General Practice. 

Colonoscopy Providers

Eastern Region
Dorevitch Pathology FOBT Helpline: 1300 738 365
Provides assistance for people having difficulty understanding the kit instructions
(call 1800 118 868 if patient needs replacement FOBT kit)

Patient Information

Consumer Information – National Bowel Screen program
Information FOBT
Instructions FOBT 

Websites

Health Insite
Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA)
Cancer Council Victoria
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program