Sir Richard Faull named Gisborne research institute's inaugural patron
The role acknowledges Distinguished Professor Faull's 'inspirational leadership' in neuroscience and his longstanding contribution to Mātai as a founding
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Scoop
21 hours ago
- Scoop
More Cancer Patients In Taupō Getting Treatment Closer To Home
Hon Simeon Brown Minister of Health More cancer patients in the Taupō region can now receive treatment closer to home, following an expansion of chemotherapy services at Taupō Hospital, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. 'For the first time in over 20 years, Taupō Hospital's chemotherapy clinic has doubled its operating days and now runs two days a week,' Mr Brown says. 'This expansion reflects growing demand, driven by the Government's $604 million investment in Pharmac to fund new cancer medicines and treatments.' That investment is delivering broader access to cutting-edge medicines like Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug now publicly funded not just for melanoma, but for other cancers such as bowel and bladder. 'More people in Taupō can now access the life-saving medicines they need, and that's driving increased demand for treatment locally. 'In the first half of 2025, 439 treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, were delivered to Taupō-based patients, up 39 per cent from 315 in the same period last year. 'To meet this demand, specialist nurses travel from Rotorua to deliver chemotherapy in Taupō, saving patients the need to make the trip themselves. 'Some of these treatments take just as long to administer as the return drive to Rotorua. Bringing care closer to home doesn't just save time – it eases the burden on patients and their families. It means fewer people having to take time off work, organise childcare, or travel long distances just to access the treatment they need. 'This service also benefits patients living further afield, with those in places like Tūrangi able to halve their travel time by going to Taupō instead of Rotorua.' The long-term plan is to expand chemotherapy services at Taupō Hospital to five days a week as demand continues to grow. 'Delivering faster access to cancer treatment is a key focus for the Government, which is why it's one of our five national health targets. 'This is what smart, patient-focused care looks like. We're building a health system that delivers for all New Zealanders and making sure people can get the cancer treatment they need, when and where they need it,' Mr Brown says.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
‘They told us to tip it' — late reprieve saves big bill
A father organising his late son's affairs has had a last-minute reprieve after potentially being landed with a big bill to dump $22,000 worth of excess medical supplies. After Peter Ashcroft's son died in June — for personal reasons, Mr Ashcroft did not wish to use his son's name in this article — the Mosgiel man was left stunned when he was told he would have to dump piles of unused medical supplies at a cost of $600. For the past 28 years Mr Ashcroft's son had been on ACC, which provided 24/7 carers after an accident left him a tetraplegic. As part of his care he was sent boxes upon boxes of medical supplies. Following his son's death, all left-over medication was returned to the chemist and then Mr Ashcroft rang Auckland-based company Onelink to to tell them to come and pick up the leftover non-perishable supplies, which he understood were worth a total of about $22,000. Mr Ashcroft said he was surprised to be told to take it all to the landfill. "$22,000 . . . it's a huge number, and they told us to tip it — that's $600 worth of bloody tip charges for us." He was "gobsmacked" by the waste, he said. "It didn't sit easy with me." After he spoke to the Otago Daily Times and questions were sent to Onelink, Mr Ashcroft received a call from ACC. He said he was told someone would come and collect the supplies and redistribute them to places such as the hospice that could use them. The items were collected this week. He had also been told ACC was working on changing the system so other families working with ACC would not be left in the same situation, which he was happy about. "It's a good outcome." Over the years his son required medical supplies, he was often sent more than was needed, Mr Ashcroft said. Three years ago the family managed to get a pile of surplus supplies sent back, but a mountain of extra items soon started to fill the house up again. He was pleased all the extras did not have to go to the landfill. A Onelink spokeswoman said once products were delivered to a patient, there was no control over how they were stored and handled as it "could create risk for other customers" if they were reused. "Our strict returns policy, built in conjunction with ACC, is intended to minimise the potential risks of contamination and compromised product integrity, and to protect our clients and staff by ensuring the safety of any products redistributed," she said.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Gisborne Cancer Society seeks volunteers for Daffodil Day fundraiser
The Agency staff members (from left) Kylie Kahukiwa, Karyn Anderson and Laice Jackson set up an impromptu Daffodil Day stall and quickly sold two buckets of flowers. All three, who have family members who have battled cancer, are enthusiastic supporters of the Cancer Society and ask the public to support the Daffodil Day collection on August 29 and 30, or other connected fundraisers. Daffodil Day is three weekends away and Gisborne-East Coast Cancer Society is looking for volunteers. Collectors will be in the CBD and other locations such as The Warehouse on Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30.
