Defining the future of paediatric fertility care: The establishment of The Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Oncofertility Coalition

Abstract

Introduction and aim: Reproductive technologies are rapidly evolving and the presence of fertility preservation programs are now a benchmark criterion for centres of excellence at US paediatric centres. However, oncofertility practice is complex in the young, posing significant ethical and logistical concerns. Therefore, disparities in care are common. In December 2019 a meeting of oncofertility champions from all Australian states and NZ nominated by the Australian and New Zealand Children Haematology and Oncology Group (ANZCHOG), leading reproductive scientists and ethicists was convened at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. The meeting provided a forum to discuss the current state of fertility care across all 13 ANZCHOG centres, identify gaps in services and barriers to care, andmake recommendations to guide national priorities. We report on findings from the meeting including service needs and barriers to care. Methods: A representative from each of the 13 ANZCHOG centres presented their responses to a semi-structured survey about current service provision and barriers to care. Thematic qualitative analysis was undertaken and recommendations for future directions in fertility care were formulated. Results/conclusions:Most ANZCHOG centres offered fertility discussion to patients but only three of 13 had formalised governance.Acommon thread in the dialog of attendees was a desire to provide the highest quality safe oncofertility care accessible to all families regardless of their geographical location or sociodemographic status. National priorities included paediatric specific oncofertility guidelines and standard operating protocols, implementation of oncofertility coordinators, clinician training, national data collection and benchmarks of care, Medicare funding, laboratory accreditation and surgical credentialing. Through binational governance, and translation of research into clinical practice, the coalition aims towork collaboratively towards developing a national roadmap and benchmarks in paediatric andAYAoncofertility care.L6340229832021-02-02 <br />