Cancer Plan 2015 - 18

Cancer Plan 2015 - 18

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Cancer Society Chief Executive, Claire Austin, is looking forward to the Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Health, announcing the Government’s plan for cancer patients over the next three years. The Minister is expected to launch the plan today.

“While we have no early knowledge of what the plan may include we are hoping for increased provision of supportive care for people affected by cancer and their families/ whānau, to get the clinical, emotional and practical support they need, when they need it within their communities.

“We hope there will be improving equity and access to care and support – the cancer burden is worse for Maori, pacific peoples and those living in socio-economically deprived or in rural areas – the cancer mortality rate is 72 per cent higher for Maori, and for Maori women, 95.8 per cent higher.

“We anticipate a continued focus upon prevention and screening and that there will be a focus on strong integration with workforce development - ensuring that there is a pragmatic and organised approach to developing the cancer care workforce and models of care. The success of any service plan will be dependent upon an adequately skilled workforce to provide the services - for example a roll-out of a bowel screening programme.”

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