1 December 2005 Media Statement
Cancer control strategy initiatives announced
Funding has been awarded for 15 projects that will advance the goals of the Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan, Health
Minister Pete Hodgson announced today.
"The Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan outlines how to achieve a reduction in the impact of cancer across the board –
from prevention to treatment,
palliative care, support and rehabilitation, and research," Pete Hodgson said.
"The reality is that we'll only succeed in fighting cancer if we're willing to take all the small steps that are needed.
The initiatives we're announcing today represent some of the small steps we have to take.
"The fifteen projects include studies to map cancer patient journeys and a review of cancer patient information
resources."
The projects will be funded through the extra $40 million per year of new cancer funding announced in March. The 15
projects represent a total investment of $1.2 million.
District Health Boards (DHBs) and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) were invited to apply to the Ministry in the first
funding round. 57 proposals were received with 15 selected for funding. A second round of proposals is currently being
considered.
Attached: Background information and list of projects.
Further information on Cancer Control Strategy and Action Plan can be found at http://www.moh.govt.nz/cancercontrol
Background Information
What is the Cancer Control Strategy?
- The strategy is designed to help coordinate the delivery of cancer prevention, cancer treatment, palliative care,
support and rehabilitation services. The World Health Organisation recommends all member countries develop overall
cancer control strategies.
What is the Cancer Control Strategy Action plan?
- The plan identifies 110 outcomes and 240 actions, with the philosophy of taking many small steps to bring about
significant change.
The goals of the Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan are:
- Goal One: Reduce the incidence of cancer through primary prevention
- Goal Two: To ensure effective screening and early detection
- Goal Three: To ensure effective diagnosis and treatment
- Goal Four: To improve the quality of life for this with cancer, their family and whanau through support,
rehabilitation and palliative care
- Goal Five: To improve delivery of services through effective planning, co-ordination and integration of resources and
activity, monitoring and evaluation,
- Goal Six: Improve the effectiveness of cancer control through research and surveillance
What projects will receive funding?
= $1.241 million dollars in funding is being split between 15 projects. These projects were chosen by a Ministry of
Health selection panel from 57 proposals. The Ministry is currently considering proposals for a second round of funding,
from a pool of $879,000, which will be allocated to further projects focusing on cancer.
Summary of the projects that were successful in the first funding round:
= The Cancer Society of New Zealand's project will review the cancer information for consumers and it is also running
another project to develop guidance on support and rehabilitation for people with cancer.
-A national organisation for palliative care will be established by the Royal College of General Practitioners.
- The Cancer Society's West Coast division proposal, run with the Buller West Coast Home Hospice and local District
Health Board successfully secured funding for its project looking at the cancer patient journey and clinical pathways.
- Hutt Valley District Health Board and Wairarapa District Health Board will also analyse the cancer patient journey.
- The Auckland District Health Board's project will work towards compiling a stocktake and gap analysis of cancer
services.
- Northland District Health Board along with the local Cancer Society has also been awarded funding for a stocktake and
gap analysis project.
- The MidCentral Regional Cancer Treatment Advisory Group in the Midcentral and Wairarapa DHBs, and the local Cancer
Society will develop a regional cancer services plan.
- Waikato DHB will do work on the Midland region cancer control network and has also secured funding for a project
focused on Midland region cancer patient mapping.
- Waitemata DHB successfully bid for three projects including developing culturally sensitive models of case management
to improve the delivery of cancer control services and reduce inequalities for the people of Waitemata. The DHB will
also focus on mapping the cancer patient journey, and the second phase of this project will look at care coordination.
- The South Island Shared Service Agency will receive funding for work on a regional Cancer Control Strategy
facilitation project.
- Otago DHB will receive funding for a Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan project coordinator for its cancer treatment
services.
ENDS