2001 Annual Report of the New Zealand Cancer Control Trust
Formation of the New Zealand Cancer Control Trust
The New Zealand Cancer Control Trust was established in February 2001 with funding from the Cancer Society of New Zealand and the Child Cancer Foundation.
A description of the Trust and its objects is attached as Appendix 1.
Professor John Gavin is the Executive Director of the Trust. Professor Gavin was previously Head of Pathology at the University of Auckland School of Medicine and has a background in university and research administration nationally and internationally. The Cancer Society has seconded Betsy Marshall of its National Office to the Trust as its Project Manager.
An Expert Advisory Panel chosen on the basis of their expertise and experience in fields relating to cancer control has been appointed to provide advice to the Trust on the development of a National Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS). A list of panel members and Trustees is provided in Appendix 2.
Initial activity
In February 2001 the Ministry of Health contracted the Trust to produce two publications. These are:
Achieving Ministerial commitment to strategy development
On 26 July 2001 Trust staff and Trustees met with the Honourable Annette King, Minister of Health to discuss its proposals for the development of a NCCS. At the meeting the Minister gave her commitment to the following:
Formation of the Cancer Control Steering Group
The first meeting of the national Cancer Control Steering Group (CCSG) appointed to oversee the development of a national cancer control strategy for New Zealand was held on 25 October 2001. Established by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the New Zealand Cancer Control Trust, the group is chaired by Dr Colin Tukuitonga, Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health. Dr Chris Atkinson, oncologist, former President of the Cancer Society of New Zealand and Deputy Chair of the Trust, is deputy chair of the CCSG.
The Steering Group has a membership which is expertise-based. It includes all Trustees and staff of the Cancer Control Trust, and includes experts in public health, epidemiology, adult and paediatric oncology, Maori and Pacific health, palliative care, primary care and surgery. Members in addition to the chair and deputy chair are:
| Dr Colin Feek | Dr Brian Cox |
| Dr Chris Cunningham | Professor John Gavin |
| Professor John Collins | Betsy Marshall |
| Jan Nicholls | Dr Keri Ratima |
| Helen Glasgow | Glenys Baldick |
| Dr Colleen Lewis | Dr John Childs |
| Dr Rob Corbett | Cynthia Maling |
The Trust is pleased that its advocacy for expertise in paediatric oncology to be included on the group was successful.
The key role of the CCSG will be to determine the process to develop the NZCCS, the content of the draft NZCCS, the involvement of key stakeholders and the maintenance of a sector-wide commitment to the process. The Steering Group reports to the Minister of Health, via both the Chair and Deputy Chair.
The two papers produced by the Trust under contract to the Ministry of Health provided a basis for discussion at the first meeting and for the process by which a strategy will be developed in New Zealand. An additional review paper Determining the Aims and Priorities for National Cancer Control Plans and Strategies has been prepared by the staff of the Trust for the CCSG.
The role of Expert Working Groups
As recommended in the papers prepared by the Trust, the CCSG will be establishing expert working groups to identify candidate evidence-based priority actions within specific components of cancer control. These components include prevention, screening and early detection, treatment, support and rehabilitation and palliative care.
These groups, which are expected to meet 2-3 times, will be appointed by the CCSG at its meeting on 15 February 2002 and should begin to meet in March.
Cancer Control Secretariat
Also as recommended by the Trust, a Cancer Control Secretariat has been established to administer the functions and implement the decisions of the CCSG and provide support for the Expert Working Groups. Reflecting the partnership between the Trust and the Ministry, membership of the Secretariat includes staff of both organizations, some of whom are also members of the CCSG.
International liaison
With funding from the Cancer Society of New Zealand, Betsy Marshall attended the UICC's 3rd Global Conference for Cancer Organisations in Brighton, UK in June 2001. The conference identified as a matter of priority the need for countries to develop cancer control strategies to deliver maximum benefit using existing resources. The important role of non-government cancer organisations in developing such strategies was clearly evident.
With funding assistance from the Wellington Cancer Society, Professor Gavin attended the 4th UICC Cancer Meeting on Global Cancer Management in Paris 23-26 September 2001. The conference focused on the development of European plans for cancer control. Professor Gavin also visited the National Cancer Control Director in London and the Australian Cancer Control Initiative.
Through its research and overseas contacts established in the production of the background paper and development plan and through attendance of overseas conferences, the New Zealand Cancer Control Trust has established itself as an independent authority on cancer control, thereby helping to ensure an influential role in the development and implementation of a NCCS for New Zealand.
Acknowledgements
I wish to sincerely thank and acknowledge the Cancer Society of New Zealand and the Child Cancer Foundation for their support of the Trust and the work it is undertaking. I also with to thank the Trustees and the staff of the Trust for the time and personal commitment they have shown to this important initiative.
Brian Cox
Chair, New Zealand Cancer Control Trust
7 February 2002
Appendix 1: New Zealand Cancer Control Trust
The New Zealand Cancer Control Trust is a consortium of organisations committed to the development of a New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy (NZCCS). The consortium was recommended unanimously by participants of the national Cancer Control Workshop in August 1999. The Cancer Society of New Zealand and the Child Cancer Foundation have provided initial funding for the trust.
Objects of the Trust
The objects of the trust are:
Trust Leadership
Professor John Gavin is Executive Director of the Trust. Professor Gavin is former Head of Pathology at the University of Auckland School of Medicine and has a background in university and research administration nationally and internationally.
Trustees
Trustees of the New Zealand Cancer Control Trust are:
Expert Advisory Panel
An Expert Advisory Panel chosen on the basis of their expertise and experience in fields relating to cancer control has been appointed to provide advice to the trust on the development of a national strategy.
Publications
In 2001 the Ministry of Health contracted the trust to produce a comprehensive review and scoping plan. Progress Towards a New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy defines the cancer burden in New Zealand and reviews strategies adopted in other countries. The Development of a National Cancer Control Strategy for New Zealand describes how a cancer control strategy can be developed, building upon the considerable amount of work already undertaken in New Zealand on various components of cancer control.
Appendix 2: New Zealand Cancer Control Trustees and Expert Advisory Panel
The Trustees of the New Zealand Cancer Control Trust
Dr Chris Atkinson, Director, Oncology Service, Christchurch Hospital
Associate Professor John Collins, Department of Surgery and Head of Breast Service, Middlemore Hospital
Dr Brian Cox, Director, Hugh Adam Epidemiology Unit, University of Otago
Dr Chris Cunningham, Director of Health Research, School of Mäori Studies, Massey University
Betsy Marshall, Policy Advisor, Cancer Society of New Zealand, and Project Manager, New Zealand Cancer Control Trust
Members of the Expert Advisory Panel of the New Zealand Cancer Control Trust
Dr David Becroft, Paediatric Pathologist, National Women's Hospital
Dr John Childs, Oncology Service, Auckland Hospital
Professor Alan Coates, Chief Executive, Australian Cancer Society
Dr Robin Corbett, Paediatric Oncologist, Paediatric Department, Christchurch Hospital
Dr Brian Ensor, Director, North Shore Hospice Trust
Dr Colin Feek, Chief Medical Advisor, Ministry of Health
Mr Jim Fraser, Chief Analyst, New Zealand Health Information Service, Ministry of Health
Helen Glasgow, Chief Executive, The Quit Group
Associate Professor Vernon Harvey, Clinical Director of Medical Oncology, Auckland Hospital
Bette Kill, Manager, Mental Health Services, Waitemata Health
Mr Jonathan Koea, Department of Surgery, Auckland Hospital
Kay Morris, Chief Executive Officer, Child Cancer Foundation
Dr Julia Peters, Clinical Director, National Screening Unit, Ministry of Health
Professor David Skegg, Chair, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago
Judi Strid, Trustee, Women's Health Action Trust
Dr Peter Sykes, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago
Dr Colin Tukuitonga, Department of Mäori and Pacific Health, University of Auckland
Mr Anaru Waa, Health Sponsorship Council