RACGP Calls for Better Care Coordination for Rural Cervical Cancer Patients
10 Jun 2026
In a submission to draft clinical guidelines being developed by Cancer Council Australia and the University of Sydney, the RACGP said GPs are being recognised as “integral” to multidisciplinary care, but the system still lacks proper support for patients outside major cities.
RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care Chair Professor Mark Morgan said communication between hospitals and referring GPs is often delayed or unclear. He also said rural patients are sometimes required to make multiple long-distance trips for appointments, scans, and treatment that could potentially be combined.
He noted that referral services may not fully account for travel time and coordination needs in remote areas.
GP and women’s health specialist Dr Magdalena Simonis said women in rural and remote regions often face long waiting times and significant barriers to accessing care. She said the issue is not only booking appointments but also managing travel, support, and follow-up.
She also raised concerns about continuity of care, particularly where patients do not have a regular GP or rely on fly-in fly-out medical services. She said this can make ongoing care and follow-up more difficult.
The RACGP submission also highlighted unclear responsibility for patient reminders, repeat testing, and updating records in the National Cancer Screening Register.
Dr Simonis said poor coordination can leave patients without confirmation of appointments or follow-up information between hospitals and general practice. She said communication gaps between services can increase risk for patients and reduce continuity of care.
She stressed the need for clear communication systems, shared records, and structured follow-up pathways that keep both patients and GPs informed.
The concerns come as HPV vaccination rates in Australia decline, raising concerns about progress toward the national goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2035.
In 2025, an estimated 946 new cervical cancer cases were recorded, slightly lower than 957 cases in 2021.
While the Federal Government remains confident about elimination targets, HPV vaccination coverage among 15-year-olds has dropped. In 2024–25, vaccination rates were 81.50% for females and 78.44% for males, down from the previous year’s 84.75% and 82.03%.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has noted that further effort is needed to reach the 90% coverage target by 2030.
Dr Simonis said vaccine hesitancy and fragmentation in healthcare delivery remain ongoing challenges in the system.
RACGP Calls for Better Care Coordination for Rural Cervical Cancer Patients
Source: RACGP newsGP