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Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has challenged cancer care globally, introducing resource limitations and competing risks into clinical practice. Aims To describe the COVID‐19 impact on medical oncology care provision in an Australian setting. Methods Calvary Mater Newcastle and Newcastle Private Hospital medical oncology data from 1 February to 31 April 2019 versus 2020 were retrospectively analysed. Results Three hundred and sixty‐four inpatient admissions occurred in 2020, 21% less than in 2019. Total inpatient days decreased by 22% (2842 vs 2203). April was most impacted (36% and 44% fewer admissions and inpatient days respectively). Mean length of stay remained unchanged (6.4 vs 6.2 days, P = 0.7). In all, 5072 outpatient consultations were conducted, including 417 new‐patient consultations (4% and 6% increase on 2019 respectively). Telephone consultations (0 vs 1380) replaced one‐quarter of face‐to‐face consultations (4859 vs 3623, −25%), with minimal telehealth use (6 vs 69). Day Treatment Centre encounters remained stable (3751 vs 3444, −8%). The proportion of new patients planned for palliative treatment decreased (35% vs 28%, P = 0.04), observation increased (16% vs 23%, P = 0.04) and curative intent treatment was unchanged (both 41%). Recruiting clinical trials decreased by one‐third (45 vs 30), two trials were activated (vs 5 in 2019) and 45% fewer patients consented to trial participation (62 vs 34). Conclusion Our medical oncology teams adapted rapidly to COVID‐19 with significant changes to care provision, including fewer hospital admissions, a notable transition to telephone‐based outpatient clinics and reduced clinical trial activity. The continuum of care was largely defended despite pandemic considerations and growing service volumes.

e14029 Background: A significant delay in oncology patient journey through emergency department (ED) due to various reasons such as multiple specialists involved, difficulty in accessing timely advice from extremely busy inpatient/outpatient oncology teams, etc. In order to streamline admissions and discharges for oncology patients, a new model of care was created with the introduction of oncology nurse practitioner (ONP) at Calvary Mater Newcastle ED. This model operated during business hours three days a week with an aim to improve continuity of care, to enhance patients’ experience and meet organisations key performance indicators (KPIs). Limited research into the impact of these services on patient care and patient experience, particularly from service users’ perspective. Methods: A retrospective audit (6 months) has been undertaken to determine the impact of this model of care on time to specialty transfer, number of admissions versus discharges and patients representations through ED when ONP was available versus standard care. Results: During the audit period, ONP reviewed 149 patients. Fifty-four (36%) patients were discharged and of those 6 (11%) returned (within 28 days) with same or related issues. There was an average reduction in time to disposition planning for ED oncology patients of approximately 83 (193 vs 110) minutes when ONP was present at ED (one month review). Using a raw bed day costing, this resulted in a significant financial saving. Further cost analysis of this model is underway. Conclusions: The introduction of ONP into an acute care hospital ED has proven to be effective in terms of continuity of patient care, financial savings and assisted ED in meeting KPIs. The perception within the senior emergency management team is that this new model of care has been an unqualified success. ONP has rapidly and effectively joined emergency team and has seamlessly adjusted practice to the new environment. ED remains highly supportive of this new model of care. This model of care is one that could be translated easily to other specialities. Further analysis will be presented at the time of ASCO meeting.

Objective: There is global imperative to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCD's). NCD's are the leading cause of death and disability globally. In Australia, 2010, the World Health Organization estimated cancer deaths attributable to NCD's accounted for approximately 29% of all deaths and most are preventable by modifying lifestyle associated risk factors. The International Council of Nurses (2010) identified nurses are ideally placed to contribute to prevention and control of NCD's through evidence based strategies (EBS). The aim of this study was to explore the Australian cancer nurses role, knowledge, and skills to prevent and control NCD's. Methods: We used nonprobability snowball sampling to collect data from an online survey distributed to 899 members of the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia. Results: Two hundred and fifty-seven nurses responded; >90% found it is within the scope of their role to contribute to prevention and control of NCDs, >70% assess for modifiable risk factors, >85% refer to support services, and 70% were interested in spending more time addressing prevention. Over 60% indicated they had adequate resources, appropriate personal skills, and adequate knowledge; however 73% felt they had inadequate time to incorporate strategies within their existing workload, 56% believed their physical environment was inadequate, and 48% felt a lack of culturally appropriate resources were identified as barrier to contributing to the prevention and control of NCDs. Conclusions: Australian cancer nurses want to contribute to the prevention and control of NCD's although workload, physical environment, and culturally inadequate resources hinder the implementation of EBS to combat NCD's.