2. BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Can he assure the House that a decision on the future of Wellington’s paediatric oncology service will be reached today and that the matter will not be subject to further time-wasting reviews?
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
I am pleased to inform the House that the management of the Canterbury District Health Board and the Capital and Coast District Health Board have today reached an agreement on the delivery of paediatric oncology services. This agreement will now go before the boards for formal ratification. The full announcement of details will be made at 4 o’clock today.
Is it true that the provision of other specialist services at Wellington, such as paediatric neurology and paediatric surgery, are also under review; if so, when will these reviews be completed?
I have no advice on that, but I can say to the member and to the House that managers and clinicians from both boards believe that, in this case, one joint service will be better than two smaller units, making better use of resources and expertise, and that collaboration between the boards in setting up the new service has been positive and could offer a new way of working for all other small, specialist services.
Sue KedgleyDoes the Minister believe that the majority of New Zealanders would prefer to have a $10 per week tax cut or fully functioning paediatric, neurology, oncology, and other health services for children?
Most of the surveys I have seen and most of the personal conversations one has with people would indicate that the priority is for high-quality services such as health and education.
Hon Peter DunneIn the event that the announcement this afternoon is for a single service located on the Christchurch campus, what advice has he received about patients coming from the lower end of the North Island, the period of travel time involved, and the impact on their medication as they travel south for treatment in Christchurch?
I cannot give the member that detail; I understand that it will be announced at 4 o’clock. But my impression from the reports I have had late in the afternoon is that there will be a service administered in Wellington.
Would he agree that children who require such specialist services do not have the luxury of having time on their side, and can he assure their families that treatment will be available immediately, if not in Wellington, then in Christchurch or Auckland?
The full details of timing will be given this afternoon, at 4 o’clock—and I am not privy to them—and they have to be ratified between now and then by boards. But I can say that I know that the previous Minister and the current Minister have pressed very vigorously for this high-quality service. I expect that that will be the service that is implemented.
Will the Government increase funding for travel and accommodation for the parents and siblings of affected children who have to travel to other centres for treatment; if not, why not?