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The aim of this paper is to highlight the challenges in evaluating psychological input into acute wards using more traditional methods; and also to provide an example of how it is possible to evaluate such services capturing outcomes at multiple levels.

Data were gathered from multiple levels including staff, patients and the wider organisation mainly using self report questionnaires. The paper looks at the impact on satisfaction, service utilisation, development of recovery principles, quality of therapeutic environment and alliance with treatment teams following the introduction of a dedicated psychology team.

The results show positive trends in patient experiences of the ward environment, alliance with treating teams and staff recovery principles, along with reduced readmission rates and length of stay in hospital. Qualitative data demonstrate the value of the service to both staff and patients.

Much of the data do not meet the criteria for more sophisticated statistical analysis.

The paper provides an example of evaluation of a contemporary model of service delivery for which there is currently a limited evidence base and looks to stimulate current thinking on the practice of mental health service delivery.

Cancer care is complex and an integrated cancer pathway involves many health professionals in a variety of care settings using many skills. The widely distributed and heterogeneous nature of the cancer workforce raises significant challenges with respect to professional development. Cancer Learning is a government-funded initiative designed to provide access to a wide range of quality online learning resources for all health care professionals involved in the care of cancer patients and their families. The purpose of this paper is to discuss these issues.

A multi-phase project, led by a consortium of national stakeholders in cancer care, informed the design, build, and deployment of Cancer Learning; an online, evidence based, information and learning portal to support professional development of health professionals across the continuum of cancer care in Australia. An action research approach allowed for an iterative process of ongoing dynamic evaluation and improvement of this workforce improvement resource.

The National Government Agency, Cancer Australia's Cancer Learning online hub has been supporting the professional development requirements of cancer care professionals since the site deployment in 2007. Since launch, site usage continues to grow and evaluations have been positive. Time constraints of health professionals continue to be a major barrier to sustained online learning participation.

This research recount of the development and implementation of an Australia first national online learning initiative highlights the rigorous approach undertaken for the delivery of a quality evidence-based resource for the professional development of all health professionals involved in the delivery of cancer care.