1.3 A focus on equity The NZ Cancer Plan aims to improve cancer outcomes for all New Zealanders. This means that people, irrespective of their ethnicity, gender, locality or socio-economic status, must be able to have every opportunity to access services that will reduce their risk of developing cancer, enable their cancer to be detected earlier as well as getting high-quality cancer treatment quickly. The impact of cancer is much higher for Māori than the general population. To improve cancer outcomes for Māori, the NZ Cancer Plan is guided by the overarching framework and aspirations in the Māori Health Strategy, He Korowai Oranga (Ministry of Health 2014). A useful framework has also been developed alongside He Korowai Oranga to improved equity in health care. This equity framework can be applied to all existing and new approaches that aim to improve cancer outcomes for Māori. 1.4 Expectations Within three years the Ministry expects to see the following improvements across the cancer pathway which will contribute to better overall cancer outcomes. By 2018 New Zealanders can By 2018 patients can expect to: expect to have: be well informed about their cancer and the a greater opportunity to be well treatment and support options available to them and a lower chance of receive their first cancer treatment within 62 days prematurely developing or dying of referral with a high suspicion of cancer from cancer be consistently well cared for regardless of where good access to primary care they live. services if they feel unwell or are experiencing cancer symptoms By 2018 health professionals can expect to: good access to population have the right technologies and equipment to do screening services in their their jobs region have appropriate training and educational quick referral to specialist opportunities cancer services if cancer is be part of a high-functioning multidisciplinary suspected team good access to palliative care in be performing at the top of scope of practice. their place of choice. 2 The New Zealand context
1.3 A focus on equity The NZ Cancer Plan aims to improve cancer outcomes for all New Zealanders. This means that people, irrespective of their ethnicity, gender, locality or socio-economic status, must be able to have every opportunity to access services that will reduce their risk of developing cancer, enable their cancer to be detected earlier as well as getting high-quality cancer treatment quickly. The impact of cancer is much higher for Māori than the general population. To improve cancer outcomes for Māori, the NZ Cancer Plan is guided by the overarching framework and aspirations in the Māori Health Strategy, He Korowai Oranga (Ministry of Health 2014). A useful framework has also been developed alongside He Korowai Oranga to improved equity in health care. This equity framework can be applied to all existing and new approaches that aim to improve cancer outcomes for Māori. 1.4 Expectations Within three years the Ministry expects to see the following improvements across the cancer pathway which will contribute to better overall cancer outcomes. By 2018 New Zealanders can expect to have: a greater opportunity to be well and a lower chance of prematurely developing or dying from cancer good access to primary care services if they feel unwell or are experiencing cancer symptoms good access to population screening services in their region quick referral to specialist cancer services if cancer is suspected good access to palliative care in their place of choice. By 2018 patients can expect to: be well informed about their cancer and the treatment and support options available to them receive their first cancer treatment within 62 days of referral with a high suspicion of cancer be consistently well cared for regardless of where they live. By 2018 health professionals can expect to: have the right technologies and equipment to do their jobs have appropriate training and educational opportunities be part of a high-functioning multidisciplinary team be performing at the top of scope of practice. 2 The New Zealand context
new-zealand-cancer-plan-2015-2018-dec14-v3.docx