All newly diagnosed women should be discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting so that a treatment plan can be recommended. The level of discussion may vary depending on both clinical and psychosocial factors.

The results of all relevant tests and imaging should be available for the multidisciplinary team discussion. Information about the woman’s concerns, preferences and social circumstances should also be available.

These are to:

• nominate a team member to be the lead clinician (the lead clinician may change over time depending on the stage of the care pathway and where care is being provided)
• nominate a team member to coordinate patient care
• develop and document an agreed treatment plan at the multidisciplinary team meeting
• circulate the agreed treatment plan to relevant team members, including the general practitioner.

The general or primary medical practitioner who made the referral is responsible for the patient until care is passed to another practitioner.

The general or primary medical practitioner may play a number of roles in all stages of the cancer pathway including diagnosis, referral, treatment, coordination and continuity of care as well as providing information and support to the woman and her family.

The care coordinator is responsible for ensuring there is continuity throughout the care process and coordination of all necessary care for a particular phase. The care coordinator may change over the course of the pathway.

The lead clinician is a clinician responsible for overseeing the activity of the team and for implementing treatment within the multidisciplinary setting.

The multidisciplinary team should comprise the core disciplines that are integral to providing good care. Team membership will vary according to cancer type but should reflect both the clinical and psychosocial aspects of care. Additional expertise or specialist services may be required for some women (Department of Health 2007b).

Team members may include a:

• care coordinator (as determined by multidisciplinary team members)*
• gynaecological oncologist*
• medical oncologist*
• nurse (with appropriate expertise)*
• pathologist with expertise in gynaecological pathology*
• radiation oncologist*
• radiologist*
• expert in providing culturally appropriate care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer (this may be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker, health practitioner or hospital liaison officer)
• clinical trials coordinator
• dietitian
• fertility expert
• psychosexual counsellor
• women’s health physiotherapist
• general practitioner
• geriatrician
• gynaecologist
• occupational therapist
• palliative care specialist
• pharmacist
• physiotherapist
• psychologist
• psychiatrist
• social worker.

* Core members of the multidisciplinary team are expected to attend most multidisciplinary team meetings either in person or remotely.