Overview

Cancer Care Ontario’s Clinical Programs works with clinicians in the Regional Cancer Programs to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of cancer services from diagnosis through to long-term follow up and palliative care. Under the strategic direction of a provincial clinical leader (the Program Head), the programs monitor quality, develop evidence-based guidance for the system, and work with health professionals and organizations to implement best practices province-wide.

The portfolio is currently organized into nine clinical focus areas that relate to various key aspects of the cancer care continuum. The portfolio also leads CCO’s Disease Pathway Management Initiative aimed at better understanding the disease pathway for different cancers and developing strategies to identify quality and access gaps, better coordinate care and support collaboration between providers and enhance the experience of patients and health professionals at every phase of cancer. The Clinical Program portfolio is also responsible for the New Drug Funding Program, which funds intravenous cancer drugs, and the Program in Evidence-Based Care at McMaster University.