The McGrath Foundation recently announced the launch of the McGrath Model of Care reflecting its increased scope of care for all cancers as of January 2025.
Designed to strengthen and standardise cancer nursing across Australia, the McGrath Foundation’s new McGrath Model of Care expands beyond breast cancer care to support people and their families experiencing any solid cancer type.
The model was shaped through a collaborative co-design process involving more than 850 interactions with people with cancer, carers and clinicians with a central focus on helping people live well throughout their cancer experience.
“The McGrath Model of Care ensures consistent equitable cancer care, no matter where you live in Australia. It’s about meeting people where they are and helping them feel supported, informed and connected at a time of fear and uncertainty,” said McGrath Foundation Chief Nurse, Kerry Patford.
“Importantly, it is not a script, and it does not replace clinical judgement. It is a framework that works alongside the clinical expertise of experienced cancer nurses and within multidisciplinary teams. It defines what consistent, equitable supportive care should look like.”
Practical interactive resource
In Australia, almost one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
The McGrath Model of Care is a structured, interactive, evidence-informed framework for supportive cancer care.
It provides clear standards, expectations and guidance for McGrath Cancer Care Nurses and other nurses that access the resource at every stage of a person’s cancer experience, from diagnosis, through treatment, and into survivorship or end-of-life care.
“Central to the model is the recognition that care must be designed around the individual needs of each person, acknowledging that the impact of cancer extends far beyond the disease itself,” said Ms Patford.
“Historically, much of cancer nursing language has centered on survivorship – wellbeing after treatment. However, we understand not all cancers are curative. This means people living with advanced cancer have often been overlooked in conversations on wellbeing.”
The model clearly defines consistent standards of care across every stage of the cancer experience, with particular attention given to priority populations who face greater barriers to care.
“The understanding that cancer impacts every aspect of an individual’s life is the reality that sits at the heart of the new McGrath Model of Care,” said Ms Patford.
“As nurses, we see firsthand that a cancer diagnosis does not occur in isolation – it has a ripple effect on every area of a person’s life.
“It can impact mental health, fertility, sexual health, employment, relationships and a person’s sense of identity. It can bring isolation, fear and uncertainty throughout treatment and beyond.
Multidisciplinary collaboration
The McGrath Model of Care also strengthens multidisciplinary collaboration. Supportive care is not delivered in parallel to treatment; it is integrated.
The model supports shared care, clear communication and defined nursing roles within broader oncology teams. It reinforces the value of cancer nursing not only in managing symptoms, but in navigation, coordination and advocacy.
As part of the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program (ACNNP), it builds on established partnerships that support shared care and resources among ACNNP members, with a key goal of improving equity across cancer types and strengthening collaboration across the cancer care sector.
Development is also underway on a dedicated McGrath Model of Care to support people experiencing haematological cancers, to be released later in 2026.
The interactive PDF is freely available to download
More information on the McGrath Model of Care is available here
