Specialists welcome scheme for cancer sufferers

A new scheme for helping cancer sufferers through their treatment is being welcomed by specialists.

A cancer patient can currently deal with up to 30 medical staff, but smaller teams of expert nurses will now help to coordinate their treatment at hospitals throughout the country.

Auckland Hospital oncologist Richard Sullivan says it will be a significant improvement.

"It's about coordinating their care (through) better systems, better processes, better IT platforms, as well as more staff to try and deliver that better care model."

He says patients will get a higher level of care under the new system.

"The whole idea is to make the whole experience a bit more personal, a bit more focused on them, and a trial of new nurses across the four district health boards will certainly improve that without a doubt."

The initiative is part of the $33 million funding package for improving cancer services, announced in this year's Budget.

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