Cancer cut plan 'outrageous'

By KATHERINE HOBY

Cancer specialists and support groups have reacted angrily to a proposal to cut the number of cancer patients treated at Starship children's hospital.

Hospital managers at Starship and other Auckland hospitals have been instructed by Auckland District Health Board executives to draw up plans to contain costs after a $72 million budget blowout.

Cancer Society medical director Dr Peter Dady said if the cuts for young cancer patients, and a possible threat to plans for more specialised services, proved true, it was "outrageous".

"This is just another example of appalling standards and falling standards in cancer treatment services in this country," he said.

Cancer was the number one health problem and politicians had refused to acknowledge that.

"It is expensive and it is messy and they just want it to go away."

Pacific Foundation for health, education and parent support chief executive Lesley Max said she would be concerned if the number of young cancer patients treated at Starship had to be reduced.

In Parliament yesterday Health Minister Annette King said it was premature to talk about cuts in numbers.

"I have been informed that all that has occurred is that the managers have been asked to look at their costs and total volumes," she said.

nzherald.co.nz/hospitals