73704 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

73704 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has occurred to address the recommendation that “Te Whatu Ora National Office provide HDC with an update on work underway to reduce the geographical disparities in patient access to cancer services across the country, in particular, ensuring timely access to services; considering the impact of the introduction of new technologies and new cancer medications on capacity; and considering the actions arising from the EY report2 to better align SBCS workforce with other centres, and report back on FSA and treatment capacity issues in Southern and other centres”, as contained in the Health and Disability Commissioner’s report on Te Whatu Ora Southern’s non-surgical cancer service, as at 12 November 2024?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that wait times for cancer treatment in Southern have improved since the Health and Disability Commissioner’s report, as Southern informed the HDC in an update on 7 June 2024. I am further advised that three Specialist Oncologists have been employed in Southern in 2024 with a further three to join the team in 2025. Southern provided the HDC with an update on this on 7 June 2024.