Cancer Society wants stronger role for new Cancer Control Agency in plan

The Cancer Society is pleased to see New Zealand’s draft Cancer Action Plan but says the role and function of the new Cancer Control Agency is a crucial part of addressing the growing gap in cancer outcomes between New Zealand and other countries like Australia and the UK.

“The time has clearly come for strong central leadership, and a nationally joined up approach. We welcome the new Cancer Control Agency and similar models have worked well abroad.

“We urge the government to consider defining the authority and functions of an independent agency through an Act of Parliament,” says Cancer Society of New Zealand Chief Executive Mike Kernaghan.

“We welcome the appointment of Professor Diana Sarfati into an ‘interim’ role as head of the Cancer Control Agency.”

“However, it is very important that this vital position has the authority and independence to drive the change that is needed. We want to see this position remain viable in the long term, for the agency to be funded appropriately, and to hold DHBs to account for services.”

In its submission on the draft Cancer Action Plan, the Cancer Society applauds the government for developing such a comprehensive document that has equity and achieving fewer cancers at its heart.

However, the actions do not go far enough to address all the challenges New Zealand is facing in cancer control and prevention.

Summary of Cancer Society feedback:
· The plan’s scope is wide and prioritisation of key activities will be important. Milestones for each will keep the progress moving over the plan’s duration for achievements in the first two, five and 10 years.
· Without sufficient funding and resourcing, the plan will not achieve the aspirational high-level outcomes it sets.
· Leadership is crucial. Outcomes will not be achieved without independent, centralised and transparent leadership that includes input from people with cancer and their whānau, and has the capacity to monitor progress.
· To achieve equity and improve health outcomes in this plan, a holistic model of care for people with cancers and their whānau at the centre is needed. The Treaty of Waitangi and equity issues, as they are currently described, should be integrated into implementation plans. The Mātauranga Māori framework should not be an add-on but built into the co-design, trial and funding of this plan at the outset in partnership with Māori.
· Cancer care and prevention is a collective and collaborative response that includes, primary care and a wealth of non-government and other services providing valuable support outside institutional settings. In many instances, people require considerable and ongoing support post DHB treatment from NGOs such as the Cancer Society. The plan would be greatly enhanced by including the concept of ‘inter-sectorial’ action for cancer control and prevention
· We note the work that will be done on improving early access to medicines. This work needs to be progressed urgently as people affected by cancer today are missing out on some treatments that are available overseas. We need to work on solutions to meet this urgent need straight away.

Cancer Society response to the New Zealand draft cancer action plan can be found here.