Skin Cancer NZ welcomes today's announcement of a $23 million Government investment to expand community-based healthcare, with the first phase focused on improving access to skin cancer assessment, detection and treatment through general practice.
The initiative will support more New Zealanders to have suspicious skin lesions assessed and treated closer to home, while also investing in dermoscopy and skin excision training to strengthen capability across the primary care workforce.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, and skin cancer remains our most common cancer. Earlier detection and treatment are critical to improving outcomes for patients and ensuring people can access the care they need, when they need it.
Skin Cancer NZ Chair, Dr Susan Seifried acknowledged this announcement as an important step towards improving access to skin cancer services,
"We are very pleased to see this investment announced following many years of advocacy by Skin Cancer NZ and others across the sector. Improving access to skin cancer detection and treatment in primary care, alongside investment in workforce training, has the potential to improve outcomes for patients while supporting a more equitable approach to care across Aotearoa.
A nationally consistent approach to skin cancer services will be critical, and we are encouraged to see progress towards strengthening this. This investment provides an important opportunity to support the development of sustainable services that meet the needs of our communities.”
Skin Cancer New Zealand has been proud to contribute to this work through ongoing advocacy, sector collaboration, engagement with health decision-makers, and initiatives focused on strengthening skin cancer prevention, early detection and clinical capability. This includes the development of the Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Strategy 2024–2028, which identified the need for improved access to early detection services, workforce development and a coordinated national approach to reducing the impact of skin cancer in Aotearoa.
Building workforce capability is a key focus for Skin Cancer NZ. We are working in partnership with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora to develop a national online education programme that will support primary care professionals to strengthen their knowledge and confidence in skin cancer prevention, early detection and management. This programme will complement broader workforce initiatives and help ensure clinicians are supported with the skills and resources needed to provide high-quality skin cancer care.
Skin Cancer NZ looks forward to continuing to work alongside Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, primary care providers and partners across the sector as this important work progresses. Together, we can strengthen the systems, workforce and services needed to reduce the impact of skin cancer for New Zealanders.