81074 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

81074 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter July to September 2024 to ‘Ensure equitable and timely access to world-leading diagnostic services’ under Outcome 4: New Zealanders have better cancer survival, supportive care and end-of-life care, as part of the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019 – 2029?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the July to September 2024 quarter, Health New Zealand worked on two key changes in clinical pathways that will ensure New Zealanders access world leading diagnostic services. The National Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Pathway will ensure that women at risk of uterine cancer receive timely and equitable diagnosis, and referral for treatment. Health NZ is also developing a pathway to evaluate people referring with symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer. The Faecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) Symptomatic Pathway and model of care change is currently progressing through the Primary Care Expert Advisory Group, District Advisory Group, and Equity Working Group.