What this means for the people of South Australia

A healthy, supported cancer workforce is essential to delivering high-quality, safe and consistent care.

By improving staff wellbeing, retention and sustainability, this initiative aims to strengthen cancer services across metropolitan and regional South Australia and enhance the experience of people affected by cancer.

Why this work matters

Cancer services across South Australia are facing increasing pressure. Rising demand, workforce shortages and growing complexity in care can contribute to ongoing workforce sustainability challenges.

In cancer care, the emotional demands of the work, long-term relationships with patients and families, and complex treatment pathways can increase the risk of burnout and attrition. Supporting workforce wellbeing is therefore critical to sustaining a skilled, healthy and capable cancer workforce and maintaining high-quality cancer care for South Australians.

SACCaN's role

SACCaN and the CEIH are supporting a coordinated, evidence-based and practical approach to improving workforce wellbeing and sustainability by:

• Engaging with cancer services, leaders, employees and partners to address shared workforce challenges.
• Ensuring employee voices are included in identifying priorities, shaping solutions and driving improvement.
• Supporting a data-informed approach that focuses on work-related factors influencing staff wellbeing, experience and sustainability.
• Aligning workforce wellbeing efforts with the SA Can­cer Plan and broader health system priorities.
• Building capability through shared learning, collaboration, and the development of practical tools and resources for use across services.

Who we are working with

• SA Health cancer service leaders, employees and workforce groups
• Local Health Networks (LHNs)
• subject matter experts in areas such as people and culture and clinical governance
• state and national organisations interested in healthcare workforce wellbeing, safety and sustainability.

What's happening now

In progress

• Expressions of Interest are now open from South Australia Cancer Services to participate in this initiative.

Contact us

Email: CEIH.WorkplaceWellbeing@sa.gov.au

Learn more

• CEIH Strengthening Workplace Wellbeing
• CEIH Building Workplace Wellbeing Organisational Guide
• Australian Cancer Plan
• South Australian Cancer Plan
• Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network
• Understanding the Cancer Workforce Report | Cancer Australia