Friday was an easier start as we knew the format and layout ….. old hands we greeted each other like long lost family – we are united now. in this together …. Mostly health professionals but some big absences noted.
The first session was Rami Rahal from CPAC (Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Canada). He spoke on improving outcomes through evidence-based policy and performance measurements. – OMG – fantastic work. He admits that currently we do better in involving our indigenous people which they do not.
- Rami Rahal, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
Improving outcomes through evidence-based policy and performance measurement - the Canadian experience
Dr John McMenamin (GP and Primary Care Adviser) followed with a talk on “Realising the potential in primary care.”
- Dr John McMenamin, GP
Cancer at the Crossroads: Realising the potential in primary care
Dr Fatima Cardoso spoke to the Conference about the work that ESMO is doing and how it is useful for all cancers. It is currently use for advanced breast cancer.
- Dr Fatima Cardoso, Champalimaud Clinical Center, Lisbon, Portugal
Bridging the divide: how do we deliver cutting ede care in a resource constrained environment?
Our first session after morning tea was an interesting talk on Palliative and Supportive Care. Dr Jonathan Adler from Capital and Coast DHB spoke. He explained how palliative plan should come in much earlier than it was doing. He understood that a talk of palliative care was really disturbing for patients. That Supportive Care model should be used more often. Generally, in New Zealand we do this well. It is especially difficult for people in the regions.
- Dr Jonathan Adler, Capital and Coast DHB
Palliative and supportive care
Dr Shaun Costello of Southern Cancer Network spoke on Radiation Oncology in NZ. He explained the variations in care. He indicated some of the ideas that will come about in the future.
- Dr Shaun Costello, Southern Cancer Network
Radiation Oncology in New Zealand: variations to care and looking to the future
Dr Chris Jackson of Cancer Society spoke on the changing face and changing pace of cancer care in the clinic.
- Dr Chris Jackson, Cancer Society
The changing face and changing pace of cancer care in the clinic
Drs Jane O’Hallahan (National Screening Unit MoH)and Caroline Shaw (Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington) talked about Screening.
- Dr Jane O'Hallahan, National Screening Unit, Ministry of Health
Current issues facing our cancer screening programmes
After lunch we had Rapid Fire Presentations from Dr Sandar Tin Tin (University of Auckland. His topic was Genotype testing and targeted therapy in lung cancer.
- Dr Sandar Tin Tin, University of Auckland
Genotype testing and targeted therapy in lung cancer in New Zealand: success and limitations in implementing a sciencific advance
Dr Scott McFarlane (National Child Cancer Network & Starship Childrens Hospital). He spoke about shared care is fair care. He explained that our national model for child cancer services delivers equitable and high quality care. It is his belief that the model of hubs of excellence works and is proven.
- Dr Scott Macfarlane, Auckland DHB
Shared care is fair care: our national model for child cancer services delivers equitable and high quality care
Finally, Simon Pointer (Southern Cancer Network). He spoke about Faster cancer treatment . The pathway entry, ED presentations and routes to diagnosis.
- Simon Pointer, Southern Cancer Network
Faster cancer treatment routes to diagnosis
Thank you Heather for such a great summary.
Comments
There was a sense at the conference of being part of a group driven to achieve a plan however it saddens me that we came away without something definitive. I know there is more work being done in the back ground but it almost feels like a lost opportunity :( .