Cancer Care Closer Than Ever

By Colin/Ambler/cvnznews.com

New Zealand’s cancer patients are set to benefit from one of the largest expansions of community‑based treatment in years, with thousands more people able to receive life‑saving infusions closer to home.

Health Minister Simeon Brown says the nationwide rollout of new and expanded infusion services is already underway, marking a major step forward in improving access to cancer care. The upgrade follows the Government’s $604 million boost to Pharmac in Budget 2024, which funded 66 new medicines — including 33 cancer treatments — and created a surge in demand for infusion capacity.

Around 13,000 additional cancer infusions are expected in 2025/26, a 12% increase on previous years.

To meet that need, 14 new infusion centres are being established and 14 existing sites expanded, creating hundreds of extra treatment opportunities every week. Once fully implemented, the expansion will deliver 218 additional chair‑days weekly, with each chair typically used by three to five patients per day.

New centres have already opened in the Bay of Islands, Buller, and Waitākere, while expanded services are now operating in Whangārei, South Auckland, Taupō, Wairoa, Napier, Whanganui, Wellington, Christchurch, and Timaru.

More communities will benefit through to 2028, with new centres planned for Dargaville, Henderson, Greenlane, South Auckland, Te Kūiti, Hāwera, Waipukurau, Horowhenua, Golden Bay, Christchurch, and Rolleston, alongside expanded services in Kaitaia, North Shore, Taranaki, Kāpiti, and Ashburton.

The rollout is backed by a $210 million investment to upgrade facilities, purchase equipment, and grow the specialist workforce needed to deliver the increased number of treatments. Recruitment is underway for senior doctors, specialist nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals.

Brown says improving cancer outcomes remains a core priority.

“Our focus is on ensuring patients can access treatment sooner and closer to where they live. This expansion puts patients at the centre — helping more New Zealanders start treatment earlier, spend less time travelling, and more time with their families.”

The nationwide programme aims to ensure consistent access to care regardless of postcode, marking a significant shift toward community‑based cancer treatment across New Zealand.