Joint C&C DHB & CDHB Paediatric Oncology Service

Capital and Coast District Health Board
Canterbury District Health Board

MoU Drafted for Joint C&C DHB and CDHB Paediatric Oncology Service

The details of a Memorandum of Understanding for a joint paediatric oncology service were established at a meeting today of key clinicians and managers of Capital and Coast District Health Board and Canterbury District Health Board.

The MoU still needs to be formally ratified by the Boards but both have agreed in principle to the concept of a single child cancer service operating from two child cancer units in Christchurch and Wellington.

C&C DHB Clinical Director of Child Health, Dr Graeme Lear said, "We are satisfied that we now have the basis of a safe, quality, sustainable service for children and their families in our region."

"I would like to thank the clinical teams from both DHBs for the tremendous amount of collaboration that has assisted us in getting to this point. We are looking forward to the years of good work that will come from a closer working relationship."

CDHB Chief Medical Officer Nigel Millar said, there has been a firm commitment from managers and clinicians in both centres to preserve a tertiary level child cancer service in Wellington for children and their families.

"Until two paediatric oncologists are appointed to C&C DHB, some children will need to travel to Christchurch and to a lesser extent Auckland for part of their treatment, but after this time we anticipate that children will be cared for in the centre closest to their home."

"By working together in this highly specialised field, I believe both Boards will be making better use of the resources and expertise available to them. It also has the potential to demonstrate a new way of working cooperatively in highly specialised areas of medicine in New Zealand."

The Memorandum of Understanding will be presented to both Boards for ratification at their first meeting in the New Year.

ENDS

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