Brown: Delivering better and faster access to cancer care

• By Simeon Brown, Member of Parliament for Pakuranga

We recently marked World Cancer Day, which is an opportunity to recognise those who are impacted by cancer and highlight initiatives that are delivering better and faster access to cancer care in New Zealand.

Each year there are thousands of Kiwis and families affected by cancer and ensuring they have faster access to quality care is a priority for our Government, which is why it’s one of our five key health targets.

It’s encouraging to see a gradual improvement in our efforts to provide faster cancer treatment, with more patients receiving their first treatment within 31 days in the first financial quarter than in the previous quarter and more cancer treatments available.

Continuing to deliver initiatives that address wait times for cancer treatment so 90 per cent of patients receive cancer management within 31 days is something I’m committed to.

Improving access to cancer medication in New Zealand has also been a focus.

Last year, our Government increased funding for cancer drugs by $604 million, allowing Pharmac to fund 19 cancer treatments.

In the first year of funding for each medicine, Pharmac anticipates over 1,400 Kiwis will access the treatments they need that were not available in the previous year, making a real difference to their care.

This investment in cancer medicines is fundamental to delivering better outcomes for those fighting cancer.

The Government has also:

• Increased breast screening eligibility for 70-74-year-olds.
• Provided an extra $18 million per year to help people who are required to travel for treatments.
• Funded PET scanning accessibility for prostate cancer.
• Invested in a new radiotherapy machine at Whangārei Hospital, which means 520 Northlanders each year will no longer have to travel to Auckland for treatment.
• Invested in radiology services in Hawke’s Bay, which will result in a doubling in CT scan capacity that will be able to deliver a further 6000-10,000 scans per year, a new MRI scanner, and a new LINAC machine that will mean 500 people per year will no longer have to travel for treatment.
• Expanded cancer infusion services in Whanganui for up to 10 patients a day.

As Minister of Health, I’m focused on ensuring better access to more cancer medicines, better cancer management driven by our faster cancer treatment target, and earlier detection of cancers through screening programmes.

This is all made possible due to the Government’s record $16.88 billion investment in health, ensuring we can deliver timely, quality access to care for all New Zealanders.