Correspondance

Letter to the Minister of Health March 2026. LINK
Response from Minister of Health 6 March 2026. LINK

Comment:

We are pleased to see national work underway in areas such as survivorship care, cancer pathways, and improving coordination between health services. It is also positive to see the Trust and the wider head and neck cancer community recognised as important voices in these conversations.

At the same time, the letter also reminds us that there is still much work to do.

Many people in our community continue to experience challenges accessing timely support, rehabilitation services, mental health care, speech and swallowing support, dental care, and coordinated survivorship services after treatment ends. Experiences can still vary greatly depending on where someone lives and what services are available locally.

While strategies and frameworks are important, our community knows that real improvement is measured by what patients and whānau experience day to day — whether they feel supported, informed, connected, and able to live well after diagnosis and treatment.

For many people affected by head and neck cancer, survivorship is not simply about being cancer free. It is about living with the ongoing physical, emotional, social, and financial impacts of treatment. These experiences need to remain at the centre of future planning and service development.

The Minister’s letter is a positive step and shows that our voices are being heard. It also reinforces why continued advocacy, peer support, and community connection remain so important. Together, we will continue working to ensure everyone affected by head and neck cancer receives the care, understanding, and support they deserve.