New approach to gynaecological cancer services

Media Release

28 September 2012

RANZCOG supports a coordinated national approach to gynaecological cancer services in New Zealand

As Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) wants to raise awareness for a coordinated national approach to gynaecological cancer services in New Zealand, as proposed by a recent Ministry of Health report.

Gynaecological cancers make up approximately 10 percent of all cancers and of all cancer-related deaths in New Zealand, with ovarian cancer the fifth most common cause of cancer mortality in New Zealand women.

Gynaecological Oncologist, RANZCOG Fellow and Head of Department at Christchurch Women’s Hospital, Associate Professor Peter Sykes, says current access to gynaecological cancer services varies throughout the country and quality of services is inconsistent, with resources unequally distributed.

“There is increasing recognition within the sector that national coordination of gynaecological cancer services is required to ensure all women with gynaecological cancer have equal and timely access to appropriate multidisciplinary specialist services going forward.”

The recent Ministry of Health report It Takes Team was commissioned to review gynaecological cancer services and provide guidance on the most efficient and effective way to deliver high quality care for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer in New Zealand.

Key findings from the report show that the gynaecological cancer patient’s journey is complex, often requiring multiple episodes of care over a number of years. Women generally have better outcomes if they are treated by a specialist gynae-oncologist and reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team.

Challenges in gynaecological cancer care were highlighted in the report and include disparities in access to evidence-based multidisciplinary care, significant workforce shortages and a lack of standardised formal referral protocols.

Speaking on behalf of the New Zealand Committee of RANZCOG, Dr John Tait (Chair) said that committee members offer strong support for this important work. They endorse the proposal for the establishment of an overarching national gynaecological cancer steering group and ultimately a regional four centre hub-and-spoke model of care and provision.

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