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Cancer patients get dedicated service
Cancer patients get dedicated service
A regional initiative launched today involving Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Lakes district health boards will result in an improved service for cancer patients undergoing treatment in Hamilton.
The $912,000 annual contract between the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society and the three Midland DHBs means cancer patients receiving treatment at Waikato Hospital, the Midland region's tertiary provider, can stay free of charge Monday to Friday at the former Braemar Hospital site in Tainui St, Hamilton.
The deal was signed today (Tuesday 14 June) by Waikato DHB planning and funding general manager Brett Paradine and Jan Wright, president of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society.
]The DHBs will fund the society directly rather than through Waikato DHB's provider arm Health Waikato.
"It makes that funding uncertainty which existed before for the society, now a more positive arrangement for both parties," said Mr Paradine.
Society executive committee member Murray Loewenthal of Otorohanga said the innovative funding arrangement between the DHBs and the society was a New Zealand first.
"Instead of the same old, same old, we have a solution that works for everyone," he said.
Previously Waikato DHB funded the lodge via Waikato DHB's hospital and health services provider arm Health Waikato for a fixed cost of $521,000. Health Waikato used the money to support accommodation costs associated with a manager, a cook and meals provided at the Lions Lodge when it was located in Waikato Hospital grounds.
Previously people under going cancer treatment needed to live further than 100km away from Waikato Hospital to access accommodation services. The Cancer Society and the three DHBs have been successful in reducing this access barrier, and can now offer accommodation services to people who live more 30kms away from Waikato Hospital. This is a significant improvement benefiting a large number of people.
The new Cancer Society's Lions Lodge opened in February this year and provides free accommodation and meals in a "home away from home" atmosphere. It is a purpose built, dedicated service for cancer patients and their families. The capacity will allow support for the growing number of cancer patients in future years.
The lodge, which was built and is run by the Cancer Society, has 55 rooms, five family units, a lounge and library overlooking Lake Rotoroa, therapeutic massage and meeting rooms.
While the Ministry of Health predicts the overall risk of cancer to stabilise or even decline slightly over the next decade, the burden of cancer will still increase, due to the increasing size and older age structure of New Zealand's population. The increased burden of cancer will have a direct impact on the requirement to provide accommodation for those undergoing cancer treatments.
ends
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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