National Cancer Control

Key national organisations involved in cancer control are:

Cancer Control Council

Appointed by the Minister of Health in 2005, the Cancer Control Council provides independent strategic advice directly to the Minister as well as the wider cancer control community. A new Cancer Control Council was appointed in September 2009.

Ministry of Health

Situated within the Sector Capability and Innovation Directorate of the Ministry of Health the Cancer Control Team is tasked with driving the implementation of the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy.

The objectives of the Cancer Control Programme are to:

reduce the incidence and impact of cancer
reduce inequalities with respect to cancer
ensure there is nationally consistent access to cancer services
fairly and equitably prioritise and plan service improvement and new investment and deliver value for money.

Link to Cancer Control Programme Sector Plan 2009/10

New Zealand Cancer Control Steering Group

The purpose of the Cancer Control Steering Group is to provide governance for the cancer control programme. It oversees priority setting, planning and implementation for the cancer control programme. The cancer control programme is a national programme that covers Ministry of Health, district health boards and the regional cancer networks activity to leading the sector to implement the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy and the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan 2005-2010.

Terms of reference

New Zealand Cancer Treatment Advisory Group

The New Zealand Cancer Treatment Advisory Group provides advice on cancer treatment to the Cancer Control Steering Group.

This will be achieved by providing expert clinical advice on

specific areas that relate to cancer treatment
technology change for cancer treatment as part of the Cancer Control Programme's horizon scanning function
services and initiatives for prioritisation in strategic planning
services and initiatives for prioritisation in annual planning
other areas as requested by the Cancer Control Steering Group

Terms of reference

New Zealand Regional Cancer Networks (NZRCN) Group

The New Zealand Regional Cancer Networks (NZRCN) work collaboratively to:

advance the Strategy and associated Action Plan
share learning and reduce duplication of effort
work on common issues and topics with the aim of promoting consistency
foster working relationships between the Regional Cancer Networks, Ministry of Health and the Cancer Control Council via the regular NZRCN Forum

Regional Cancer Networks

Regional networks work across organisational boundaries to promote a collaborative approach to service planning and delivery. The four regional cancer networks are based around district health board geographical coverage areas and the patient flow to the regional cancer centres.

The four New Zealand networks are:

Northern Cancer Network (NCN) – Auckland, Waitemata, Counties Manakau, Northland
Midland Cancer Network (MCN) - Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, with an open invitation to Tairawhiti and Taranaki
Central Cancer Network (CCN) – Taranaki, Whanganui, MidCentral, Hawkes Bay, Tairawhiti, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Capital & Coast, Nelson/Malborough
Southern Cancer Network (SCN) - Canterbury, Otago, West Coast, South Canterbury, Southland.

New Zealand Regional Cancer Networks Group

Regional cancer network managers and clinical directors meet on a regular basis to share learning and work collaboratively on common initiatives.