Cancer Service continues to meet waiting time target

26/05/2011 | Health Targets - Cancer

MidCentral District Health Board’ regional cancer treatment service has stepped up to the mark when asked to meet a reduced Government cancer waiting times health target of four weeks, set from 1 January.

Previously, the target was that anyone needing radiation treatment would have this within six weeks of their first specialist assessment, and then within four weeks by January 2011. Linear accelerators, (linacs), generate high dose x-ray for the treatment of cancer. The aim is to deliver the radiation dose with a precision that will destroy the cancer cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissues.

The RCTS, one of six cancer centres in New Zealand, looks after cancer patients from five other District Health Board regions – Tairawhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Whanganui, and Taranaki, along with MidCentral patients. Since October 2009, the RCTS has consistently met the six-week target, and has now met the four-week target for each month since it was introduced for all its patients in January.

Consistently meeting the four-week health target was the ultimate goal of a development plan begun in 2009 to address capacity issues for radiation therapy and to provide confidence that the new health target would be achieved by December 2010.

The plan has included significant milestones over the past two years including: the replacement of a linac in 2010, the purchase of new workstations for treatment planning, the recruitment to full staffing for radiation therapists, the approval to appoint an additional Radiation Oncologist, service improvements to streamline bookings, the ongoing achievement of the four-week target, and the retention of the oldest linac to increase capacity.

In March 2011 the MDHB decision to buy a permanent fourth linac and a new bunker to house it at a cost of more than $6 million signalled the commencement of the final stage in this plan. Installing and commissioning this machine, along with the additional staff required to operate it will be the final step in ensuring long term confidence and sustainability for this service. This should all be in place by April 2012.

The success of the plan is testament to the Radiation Oncology team. Their commitment to making the changes necessary, including working out of hours on many occasions to ensure timely access to treatment at all times, has been commendable and is the key factor in providing confidence for the future.

Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945