58339 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

58339 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the as at 16 September 2024, toward the recommendation ‘Rapidly increase Māori and Pacific participation to 70%’ in Te Whatu Ora’s ‘BreastScreen Aotearoa Quality Improvement Action Plan’?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that as at 16 September, a contract had been signed with a hauora Māori provider to design and implement a Hospital Touchpoints initiative in the Hauraki-Thames-Coromandel region. This initiative seeks to engage with un-screened and under-screened people coming through the hospital system. Kaimahi have been recruited; planning and enablement are underway, and the new service is expected to commence in the coming months. I am further advised that a contract has been signed with an organisation with a large national network of wāhine Māori. It will roll out promotional activities and other efforts through its regional branches to encourage members to screen for breast cancer. Planning is underway, and the initiative is expected to launch in the coming months. I also refer the Member to Written Parliamentary Question 38201 (2024)