73710 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

73710 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has occurred to address the recommendation that “Te Whatu Ora Southern consider establishing a system that provides a single point of contact for patients who are on the waiting list for FSA, with functions including continued assessment of patients on the wait list, keeping patients updated and informed about current wait times, and providing patients with all options available for accessing care and advice regarding the management of evolving symptoms,”, 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 Southern established a Patient Navigator team as a single point of contact for patients who are waiting for their first specialist assessment. Typically this team will proactively contact patients on wait lists and undertake a clinical assessment, signposting patients to relevant supports and advising of anticipated wait times. They also send a letter to patients on wait lists with their contact information.