12. Dr JACKIE BLUE (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Does he have confidence in BreastScreen Aotearoa; if so, why?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) Link to this
Yes; because it is working tirelessly to protect the health of New Zealand women.
What action will he take, now that his ministry has confirmed that, for women from 45 to 49 years of age, a participation rate of only 19 percent has been achieved—and for Māori women it is even worse, at 11 percent—almost 2 years after the age extension programme was commenced, when the accepted target was 70 percent participation of the eligible population?
I am surprised the member does not know, given her background, that the 2-year capacity target since the age extension has been almost entirely met. It is about 98.5 percent met. A further roll-out of this extension will occur in the forthcoming 2 years.
Steve ChadwickI have received reports that 30,000 women in this age group have already been screened, despite their being recommended as the lowest priority by an expert group on which the National member who asked the primary question once sat.
How does the Minister reconcile the Government culling tens of thousands of New Zealanders off waiting lists on the basis that it is unethical to give patients an unrealistic expectation they would be treated, with its promoting to both Māori and non-Māori women of 45 to 49 years of age the false perception that they would be recruited and offered a mammogram so that their breast cancer could be found and treated in a timely way, thus giving them the best chance of survival?
Let me quote the expert advisory group, on which the member once sat. It specifically noted that the current high quality of the programme should be maintained, and that the extension of the programme should be implemented in such a way that it did not undermine the ongoing development of a world-class programme. We are doing just that.
What action, not reports, will he take on the fact that 7 years after BreastScreen Aotearoa started, only 45 percent of eligible women, and only 30 percent of eligible Māori women, are being screened, and what will he be saying to the New Zealand women who feel let down, or does he say to New Zealand women what he says to striking radiographers—every good luck?
The member says the programme has been going for 7 years. She forgets to tell the House that the extended programme has been going for 2 years. In that 2 years it has met its targets. Yes, we have achieved only 20 percent coverage in the 40 to 45 years age group, but, then, Australia did not manage to get to 30 percent over 10 years. So I think this programme is working well. The money is going in; there is no shortage of money. Certainly, a number of new facilities have been opened this year. Next month we have, I think, another two or three new mobile services coming in, taking us up to about 10 or 11. This programme is extending as scheduled.