Articles tagged with Cancer
New Zealand Proposes Funding Letermovir to Prevent Infection After Stem Cell Transplants
3 days ago | 53 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to fund letermovir from May 2026 to prevent serious CMV infections in stem cell transplant patients and those with severe immunosuppression. This initiative aims to improve patient outcomes by reducing complications, hospital stays, and healthcare system pressure, aligning with the Government’s commitment to expanding stem cell transplant capacity and enhancing cancer treatment access. Pharmac is currently seeking public feedback on the proposal, inviting input from affected patients, families, health professionals, and advocacy groups.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac letermovir stem cell transplant New Zealand CMV infection cancer treatment healthcare system Faster Cancer TreatmentWairarapa Hospital Upgrades Diagnostic Care with New $2.46M CT Scanner
4 days ago | 100 viewsWairarapa Hospital has introduced a new $2.46 million CT scanner to enhance diagnostic services, providing faster, more reliable imaging and improving patient access. The upgrade will increase output by around five percent, supporting quicker diagnoses, stronger cancer pathways, and better regional care coordination. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this investment strengthens frontline infrastructure, ensuring quality, modern healthcare for regional communities now and in the future.
Tags: CT scanner Wairarapa Hospital diagnostic services Health Minister Simeon Brown imaging technology healthcare investment regional healthcare patient care cancer pathways medical infrastructurePharmac Proposes Widened Access to Immunotherapy for Advanced Melanoma Patients
1 week ago | 137 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to expand access to immunotherapy medicines nivolumab and ipilimumab for people with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma starting May 2026, aiming to improve treatment outcomes and reduce cancer recurrence. These medicines, used together before surgery, can enhance immune response, potentially reduce the need for further treatment, and save health resources by decreasing infusion hours and hospital visits. The government emphasizes faster access to effective cancer care, backed by significant investment in new medicines, while Pharmac seeks public and clinical feedback on the proposal before finalizing the decision.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac nivolumab ipilimumab melanoma New Zealand cancer treatment immunotherapy Melanoma New ZealandPharmac Proposes Funding New Combination Therapies for CLL Blood Cancer in NZ
2 weeks ago | 141 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to fund two new combination therapies—venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab—as first-line treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) starting May 2026. These treatments aim to improve patient outcomes by enabling longer remission, reducing the need for chemotherapy, and offering more convenient pill-based options, including availability in private clinics to minimize patient disruption. The Government’s broader commitment includes investing $604 million to fund new blood cancer medicines, expanding stem cell transplant services, and enhancing cancer care access and timeliness across New Zealand.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac venetoclax ibrutinib obinutuzumab chronic lymphocytic leukaemia blood cancer New Zealand Government cancer treatmentAI to Enhance Breast Screening and Early Detection for Women in New Zealand
3 weeks ago | 209 viewsHealth New Zealand is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance breast screening services, aiming to support radiologists, reduce workload, and improve early detection for women. This initiative involves consulting experts and assessing international AI applications to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered screening while maintaining clinical oversight. The effort builds on recent program improvements and seeks to future-proof breast screening, ensuring timely access and better outcomes for New Zealand women.
Tags: Artificial Intelligence AI BreastScreen Aotearoa breast screening breast cancer Health Minister Simeon Brown New Zealand radiologists medical imaging early detectionWorld Cancer Day: Advancing Faster, Fairer Cancer Care Across New Zealand
1 month ago | 225 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights World Cancer Day as an opportunity to recognize advancements in New Zealand’s cancer care, emphasizing patient-centered decisions and improved access to modern treatments. Over the past two years, the government has implemented initiatives such as funding new cancer medicines, expanding screening programs, lowering bowel screening age, and investing in infrastructure and workforce to enhance early detection and treatment. These efforts aim to reduce wait times, bring care closer to home, and ensure equitable, high-quality cancer care nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown World Cancer Day New Zealand Taranaki Cancer Centre Pharmac breast screening bowel screening Faster Cancer Treatment Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Cancer Action PlanWorld Cancer Day: Advancing Faster, Fairer Cancer Care Across New Zealand
1 month ago | 216 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown highlights World Cancer Day as an opportunity to recognize progress in New Zealand’s cancer care, emphasizing patient-centered improvements such as earlier detection, faster treatment access, and modern therapies. Key initiatives include funding new cancer medicines, expanding screening programs, establishing faster treatment targets, investing in infrastructure and workforce, and developing a Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy. These efforts aim to reduce wait times, enhance treatment accessibility, and provide equitable, high-quality care nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown World Cancer Day New Zealand Taranaki Cancer Centre Pharmac breast screening bowel screening Faster Cancer Treatment Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Cancer Action PlanNZ Expands Access to Brentuximab for Blood Cancer Patients from 2026
1 month ago | 189 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to expand access to brentuximab as a first-line treatment for systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma, aiming to improve survival rates and quality of life. The government has increased Pharmac’s budget significantly, enabling funding for 43 new cancer treatments and expanding stem cell transplant services to reduce wait times and help more patients receive timely care. If approved, the proposal will take effect on April 1, 2026, reflecting the government’s commitment to enhancing cancer treatment access and outcomes in New Zealand.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac brentuximab systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma Blood Cancer NZ New Zealand Government cancer treatment stem cell transplant Faster Cancer TreatmentNew Zealand Health Progress: Faster Cancer Care, Immunisations & Shorter Waits
2 months ago | 448 viewsNew Zealand has seen year-on-year improvements in healthcare access, including faster cancer treatment, higher childhood immunisation rates, and shorter waits for surgeries and specialist assessments, despite a busy winter and union strikes. The government’s investments, such as a $604 million boost to Pharmac and the Elective Boost program, have contributed to these gains by delivering new medicines and additional procedures. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes ongoing efforts to ensure timely, quality care for all Kiwis, supported by increased funding and frontline staff.
Tags: Simeon Brown Pharmac New Zealand healthcare workers cancer treatment childhood immunisations elective surgery emergency departments Elective Boost health targetsWellington Hospital Installs Advanced SPECT-CT Scanner for Faster, Safer Imaging
2 months ago | 456 viewsWellington Regional Hospital has installed a new SPECT-CT scanner featuring advanced imaging technology that provides faster, higher-quality scans with reduced radiation exposure, complementing an existing modern unit. This combined imaging technology enhances disease detection, diagnosis accuracy, and treatment monitoring for various patients, including those with cancer and children needing specialized imaging. The installation is part of a nationwide $108 million government upgrade to diagnostic imaging, which also includes refurbishing the scanning room to improve patient comfort.
Tags: Wellington Regional Hospital Simeon Brown Nuclear Medicine CT scan diagnostic imaging cancer treatment MRI patient care New ZealandNew Zealand Advances Cancer Care with New Report and Enhanced Screening Programs
2 months ago | 319 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has highlighted progress in cancer control over the past five years, including reduced smoking rates, improved screening, and better long-term survival, as detailed in The State of Cancer in New Zealand 2025 report. The Government is implementing initiatives such as expanding screening programs, investing $604 million in cancer medicines, upgrading treatment infrastructure, and launching New Zealand’s first cervical cancer elimination strategy to enhance cancer care. Despite these advances, cancer diagnoses are expected to rise significantly by 2044, prompting a refreshed Cancer Action Plan to prepare the health system for future challenges.
Tags: Simeon Brown Cancer Control Agency Pharmac New Zealand Cancer Action Plan LINAC Breast Screening Stem Cell Transplant Cervical Cancer Health MinisterNew Zealand Boosts Stem Cell Transplant Services with $27M Investment to Save Lives
3 months ago | 365 viewsHealth New Zealand will invest $27.1 million over three years to expand stem cell transplant services, addressing critical delays and increasing capacity by 27–38% to save more lives. This funding supports hiring 79 new staff, expanding hospital beds, upgrading infrastructure, and introducing a digital tool for better transplant scheduling nationwide. These efforts build on a prior $6.11 million boost and aim to provide timely, life-saving treatment for patients with blood cancers and related conditions across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Auckland City Hospital Wellington Regional Hospital Christchurch stem cell transplant allogeneic transplants blood cancers transplant capacity digital toolNew Safeguards for Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogues Prescribing in NZ
3 months ago | 355 viewsThe Cabinet has agreed to introduce new safeguards on prescribing gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, restricting their use for new patients with gender dysphoria or incongruence until further clinical trial results are available, while maintaining access for existing patients and those with other medical conditions. This precautionary approach follows a lack of high-quality evidence on the benefits and risks of these treatments for gender dysphoria and aligns New Zealand’s regulations with those of the UK and other countries. The government emphasizes ensuring treatments are safe, evidence-based, and accessible through continued support and centralized youth gender services.
Tags: Simeon Brown gender dysphoria Ministry of Health New Zealand United Kingdom Medicines Act endometriosis prostate cancerPharmac Funds Access to New Cancer Treatments, Including Subcutaneous Injections, for Improved Patient Care
3 months ago | 431 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac's decision to fund access to five treatments, including for breast and lung cancer, starting from December 1, 2025. Pharmac's decisions include funding new subcutaneous options for existing IV medicines, two new medicines, and ongoing access to certain treatments. The move aims to make patients' lives easier, reduce strain on the health system, and provide better and faster access to cancer care in New Zealand, aligning with the government's focus on improving cancer management and ensuring better access to cancer medicines.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac cancer medicines treatments patients access Health Minister Associate Health MinisterTaranaki Cancer Centre: World-Class Care Closer to Home
4 months ago | 459 viewsThe Taranaki Cancer Centre, recently opened, provides world-class cancer care close to home for patients in the region, featuring a Linear Accelerator for radiation therapy. This technology allows for precise treatment targeting, improving outcomes and patient comfort. The facility also offers increased access to chemotherapy, enhancing medication availability and treatment scheduling, in addition to various amenities to support patients and families throughout their care journey.
Tags: Taranaki Cancer Centre Health Minister Simeon Brown Linear Accelerator radiation therapy chemotherapy cancer care modern facility healthcare infrastructure New Zealanders