The ACDS governance includes the Clinical Advisory Group (CAG), which is an independent panel of radiation oncology experts. The members of this group are nominated by the four professional colleges in Australia and New Zealand, as well as TROG Cancer Research.
Purpose
The CAG's role is to advise us on how to develop audit methods and provide immediate clinical interpretation of specific audit results.
What happens with an 'Out of Tolerance' result?
If any measurement in an audit shows an 'Out of Tolerance' result, the audit is referred to the CAG for evaluation of its potential clinical impact. The CAG offers clinical insight to support any recommendations or changes of practice which may be warranted. The information sent for review is confidential and de-identified. Members are required to declare any conflicts of interest, which are managed sensitively.
Role of the CAG
The CAG plays a central role in our continuous improvement cycle to improve and develop audit capability.
Our audits have evolved from simple conformal techniques to cover:
- FFF
- IMRT
- VMAT
- SABR
- SRS
- adaptive
- motion-management treatment approaches.
Changes to the audit program
The audit program has expanded from conventional C-arm linacs to cover:
- Halcyon®
- Ethos™
- MRI-Linacs
- TomoTherapy ®
- CyberKnife ®
- Gamma Knife ®
- superficial/orthovoltage treatment delivery platforms as appropriate.
The CAG reviews each audit development proposal and monitors the field trial results to make sure the proposed audit outcomes align with clinical and technical standards.
The CAG provides an annual report to the CEO of ARPANSA and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).
The AHPPC is the main decision-making committee for health emergencies in Australia, made up of the Chief Health Officers from each state and territory, and is chaired by the Australian Chief Medical Officer.
Alongside the annual ACDS in Review report, the Clinical Advisory Group Report provides an independent assessment of the clinical impact and relevance of our work over the past year. It also outlines how ongoing audit development will help reduce future clinical risks.
CAG membership (current August 2023)
The CAG membership brings together a wide range of clinical expertise, reflecting diversity across all jurisdictions and practice settings. Members may serve up to three consecutive two-year terms, and may not be current employees of ARPANSA. When vacancies arise, ARPANSA seeks nominations from:
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiology (RANZCR)
- Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM)
- Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT)
- New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology (NZIMRT)
- Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG)
- New Zealand representative from RANZCR, ACPSEM or TROG
- In addition, ARPANSA may appoint an expert to provide independent technical advice, with no time limit on their tenure.
The Chair of CAG is nominated by RANZCR. The ACDS Director and a senior ACDS auditor are ex-officio members of the CAG.
| RANZCR | NSW | Dr Lucinda Morris | Chair of CAG Staff Specialist Radiation Oncologist |
| NSW | Dr Louise Nardone | Staff Specialist Radiation Oncologist Central Coast Cancer Centre, Gosford Icon Cancer Centre, Gosford | |
| ACPSEM | NSW | Mr Adam Briggs | Medical Physics Specialist Shoalhaven Cancer Care Centre, Nowra |
| New Zealand (ACPSEM) | NZ | Dr Andrew Cousins | Radiation Oncology Physics Team Leader Christchurch Hospital |
| ASMIRT | VIC | Dr Katrina Woodford | Lead Radiation Therapy Clinician Scientist Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne |
| NZIMRT | NZ | Ms Rebecca Thyne | Staff Radiation Therapist Christchurch Hospital |
| TROG | NSW | Prof. Joerg Lehmann | Principal Medical Physicist – Radiation Oncology Calvary Mater Hospital, Newcastle |
| ARPANSA | VIC | Prof. Tomas Kron | Director of Physical Sciences Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne |
