About Us

The Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust is a national, patient-led charity that supports people affected by head and neck cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. We provide education, peer support, and advocacy, helping people navigate the health system from diagnosis through treatment, recovery, and survivorship. Our community includes patients, survivors, family members, and caregivers. We are committed to ensuring the voices of people with lived experience are heard in health policy and system design.

General Comments

We welcome the opportunity to comment on Putting Patients First: Modernising Health Workforce Regulation. This work is timely and necessary to ensure that all New Zealanders, including those living with and beyond cancer, receive high-quality, culturally safe, person-centred care.

Our submission draws from our ongoing engagement with people affected by head and neck cancer. We submit from the perspective of equity, safety, compassion, and the need for a system that better supports integrated and team-based care. LINK TO DOCUMENT