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The Patient Journey

Who is involved?

The management of patients with mesothelioma is complex. Where possible each case should be presented in a multidisciplinary meeting where medical, surgical and oncological clinical experts review the patient’s history, imaging and pathology before deciding on the best pathway of treatment and care. This ensures shared decision making and best practice care.

The patient journey could involve all or some of these health professionals:

  • General Practitioner
  • Radiologist/Interventional Radiologist
  • Respiratory Physician
  • Cardiothoracic Surgeon
  • Medical Oncologist
  • Radiation Oncologist
  • Palliative Care Specialist
  • Cancer Care Coordinator/Nurse
  • Nursing staff in the hospital and community

Patient Compensation

Compensation can be sought to cover costs related to loss of employment, financial insecurity, cost of accessing medical treatment and care and unexpected loss of life.

In NSW people who develop mesothelioma may be entitled to lodge a claim for compensation via Statutory Law (iCare) or through the courts as a Common Law Claim. Legal entitlements vary according to where and how the exposure to asbestos occurred. Other states and territories have their own differing entitlements.

iCare

iCare is an insurance institution that governs the Statutory Body called Dust Diseases Care (DDC). DDC provides compensation to cover financial, healthcare, equipment and domestic support to workers who have a compensable dust disease and or disability as a result of a NSW workplace exposure to asbestos.

Common Law Claim

A Common Law Claim is lodged by a lawyer experienced in dust disease compensation. It is a claim against the party/parties who manufactured the asbestos products that the person was exposed to. In NSW, people may be entitled to make both a Statutory and Common Law Claim, one is not dependent on the other.

Click here for information on State and Territory Compensation Schemes