Improving access to
cancer treatment
By Lung Cancer Nurse Coordinator,
Mary Robertson CNS.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer
deaths worldwide and this is reflected in our
local high referral rate. We’ve made several
changes in an effort to improve patients’
access to treatment and further changes are
planned in the New Year.
From left to right, Respiratory SMOs Dr Kirsten Ramsay and Dr Suzanne Poole,
Oncology SMO Dr Richard North, Respiratory SMO Dr Pierre de Villiers, Lung
Cancer Nurse Coordinator Mary Robertson and Radiology SMO Dr Helen Seymour.
In September 2015 we started hosting local weekly
multidisciplinary lung cancer meetings (MDM) at Tauranga
We’re also considering developing a fast track lung cancer clinic.
Hospital. This initiative followed the opening of the Kathleen
We hope to be able to offer a range of investigations plus have
Kilgour Centre. Prior to this, we video linked into Waikato’s weekly
a Consultant on site, in an effort to reduce waiting times for
MDM to discuss our BOPDHB lung cancer patients. One of the
diagnosis.
key changes that has resulted from these MDMs is that our lung
cancer patients are able to be discussed in a much more timely
We will continue to work with our GPs to fine tune our respiratory
manner and have faster access to our local oncology services.
e-referral tool to ensure appropriate referrals for High Suspicion
Our new Pathlab is now able to offer priority reporting on all lung
Cancer lung patients.
biopsies which again has improved the service for our patients.
Currently 74% of lung cancer patients in the BOPDHB are
We continue to liaise with Waikato about potential surgical patients
achieving the 62 day treatment timeframe set by the government’s
who may require cardiothoracic surgical services which aren’t
Health Target - Faster Cancer Treatment. We have achieved an
currently available in the BOPDHB.
18% increase against this target since the beginning of 2016 –
Well done to everyone involved!!
Some significant changes are planned for 2017 to further improve
the care we provide for people with lung cancer.
From March 2017 lung cancer patients who are suitable for SABR
(Specialised radiation treatment) will be treated locally from our
radiation unit in the Kathleen Kilgour Centre rather than having to
travel to Waikato Hospital.
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