Under the Faster Cancer Treatment programme, the ministry is working with the health sector to ensure patients have timely access to appointments, tests which detect cancer and cancer treatment.
The target took effect in October 2014, and aims to provide 85% of patients with their first cancer treatment within 62 days of the hospital receiving their referral.
The target applies to patients when the hospital doctor receiving the referral believes there is a high suspicion of cancer and that they should be seen within two weeks. The 62-day timeframe is based on measures used in the United Kingdom and Canada, and is an internationally accepted timeframe for cancer treatment to begin.
DHBs nationwide were expected to meet the 85% target by July 2016, and are now expected to reach a 90% target by this June. SDHB chief operating officer and deputy chief executive officer Lexie O’Shea said preliminary data showed the board achieved 86% at the end of last year.
"This is a huge project for us and every DHB."
Despite performing well compared with other DHBs, the SDHB had not previously been able to meet the target.
At yesterday’s board meeting — the first for 2017 — she said there was only one other DHB in New Zealand that had achieved similar results.
Members of the SDHB commissioner team were delighted by the data presented, but were aware more work was to be done.
Following the meeting, Mrs O’Shea said she was excited with the preliminary data because it appeared the DHB was on track to achieve ‘‘this important measure’’.
‘‘This builds on the work of the team over many months, and we thank all those involved for their efforts which ultimately make a real difference to the patients we serve.''
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in New Zealand, accounting for nearly a third of all deaths.
Prompt investigation, diagnosis and treatment is more likely to ensure better outcomes for cancer patients, and an assurance about the length of waiting time can reduce the stress on patients and families.
Significant improvements have been made in the quality of cancer services, and the ministry aims to continue those improvements. The target aims to support improvements in access and patient experience through the cancer pathway, including the period of investigation before treatment begins.
It supports DHBs to monitor the whole cancer pathway, from referral to first treatment, to identify any bottlenecks in the system and opportunities for improvement that will benefit all cancer patients.
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Comments
This must be of great comfort to the 10% of people referred to the hospital for treatment or diagnosis.
I am sure it must be quite reassuring to be sitting around with a huge question mark over your health and future while the hospital congratulate themselves on a job well done.