The Network was established in 2006 by the four Northern District Health Boards to provide a mechanism for the Northern region to enable everyone involved in Cancer Control to work collaboratively to improve patient outcomes.
It works across the cancer continuum, providing leadership, facilitation and coordination with cancer control stakeholders in the Northland, Waitemata, Auckland and Counties Manukau District Health Board areas.
Network objectives and principles
Our vision is to improve cancer control through increased regional collaboration and our mission is to improve the outcomes for cancer patients, their carers and whanau.
The goals of the Network are based on those of the Cancer Control Strategy being to:
- reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in the Northern region; and
- reduce inequalities with respect to cancer in the Northern region
The following objectives have been identified to achieve the Network’s vision and goals:
To support the local delivery of effective, efficient and equitable cancer control services by:
- facilitating Cancer Control Strategy and Action Plan planning and implementation;
- facilitating regional collaboration to improve patient journeys and outcomes;
- supporting quality improvement initiatives;
- supporting regional integration across traditional silos
Guiding Principles:
- continuum and district wide representation
- open communication and transparency in decision making
- mutual respect, partnership and collaboration
- advocate, and practise, a strong clinician/management partnership
- reduce duplication within the provision services across the region
- equitable access for the same level of clinical need across the region
- key foci to include:
quality of care
inequalities
patient-centred
The Network is comprised of a number of groups to enable maximum participation of key stakeholders and has built on existing structures where possible, in order to strengthen the voice of some stakeholders. Specific groups have been established by the Network i.e. Consumer Reference Group, Maori Leadership Group, Regional Cancer Coordinator forum and NGO forum.
The following diagram shows the wider structure of the Northern Cancer Network:
The Auckland District Health Board is the lead district health board for the Network.
Reducing Inequalities with regard to cancer is a leading Network goal
Through new funding made available to the Regional Cancer Networks by the Ministry of Health the Network was able to scope a high level project and recruit a dedicated Project Manger to identify and lead a number of initiatives that will contribute to a reduction in inequalities. The project scope and position description were undertaken in conjunction with the three other regional cancer networks in the interests of ensuring a consistent approach.
Phase one of the project involves undertaking a situational analysis to collate evidence from a number of sources and reports to enable prioritised actions to be identified. The Network will then facilitate the development and implementation of these activities in phase two.
For further information please contact Gary Thompson the Network's Inqualities Project Manager on 021 542 627 or email gary.thompson@ndsa.co.nz.