Particle Therapy Working Group

The ACPSEM Particle Therapy Working Group

Overview

The ACPSEM Particle Therapy Working Group (PTWG) was formed in 2018 with the aim of establishing a national collaboration for the safe and effective introduction of proton therapy in Australia. The PTWG includes representation from each State/Territory branch of the College, with the exception of New Zealand, and representation from ARPANSA.

The PTWG also has representation from an ACPSEM member working at a proton therapy centre in the United States.

The PTWG has been structured into 5 subgroups. Each subgroup has an allocated lead, however members may contribute to more than 1 subgroup. The Chair of the PTWG participates in the work of each subgroup.

This annual report summarizes the activities of the PTWG in 2021

Terms of Reference:

1. Develop recommendations for the ACPSEM Board with respect to:
   1. Training and Education requirements in support of Australia’s Proton Therapy implementation and any subsequent particle therapy projects
   2. Development of education and awareness programs for the broader College membership
   3. Endorsement/development of code of practice for reference dosimetry
2. Support and learn from College members involved in the implementation of the Proton Therapy programs, including providing a conduit for the collection and review of the experiences of other ACPSEM members with overseas particle therapy experience and/or exposure. 
3. Provide a source of rolling ACPSEM membership for the (current program) RANZCR patient referral committee
4. Work to position ACPSEM to impact and inform the MSAC process for Particle Therapy treatment
5. Encourage and support the development of a Tripartite2 sanctioned risk-based approach to quality assurance in Australian Particle Therapy facilities (e.g. AAPM TG100).
6. Provide advice to ARPANSA and/or individual state regulatory authorities with respect to shielding and other requirements for particle therapy treatments
7. Educate and equip ACPSEM members to participate in and influence the implementation of local patient referral and planning processes, prior to treatment in the Adelaide facility
8. Develop and promote a nationally accessible data set and data analytics protocol, aimed at both providing quality assurance for remote patient planning and using follow-up data to inform treatment directions 
9. Collaborate and maintain effective communication with other working groups in the field, such as RANZCR Particle Therapy Special Interest Group 

See the Particle Therapy Working Group terms of reference in full.

Members

Subgroups 

• Training and Professional Certification
• Radiation Safety and Shielding
• Patient Selection Models and Data Analytics
• Reference Dosimetry
• Quality Assurance