‘Opportunity we must embrace’
When New Zealand lost Invercargill cancer patient Blair Vining there was anger in the air. The 39-year-old, with the support of his family, dedicated his last months on Earth to fighting for better cancer care across New Zealand.
His doctor and top oncologist Chris Jackson said this new health system would help save lives like Vining — who was told he was dying of bowel cancer and would have to wait eight weeks for an urgent appointment. “We have been calling for this for years and finally it’s here,” Jackson told the Herald.
Yesterday Health Minister Andrew Little unveiled the major changes to the country’s health system.
While Jackson, who is also the medical director for Cancer Society of New Zealand, said the announcement was welcomed widely across the cancer sector, he said “we should not underestimate the task”. “It’s an opportunity and one we must embrace.”
Vining was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in October 2018 and was initially given three months to live. He was then told to wait eight weeks for an “urgent appointment” with an oncologist.
His wife Melissa refused to let her husband die waiting and called every person she could think of until she got hold of the medical director of New Zealand’s Cancer Society and top oncologist Chris Jackson.
As a result, Blair was able to start chemotherapy right away and was put on the best treatment possible.
But there was one itch the 38-yearold couldn’t let go — a “broken health system”.
Instead of breaking down, Blair stood up to fight. He launched New Zealand’s biggest ever cancer petition, gaining 150,000 signatures, calling on the Government to set up a cancer agency to end “postcode lottery” care.
Blair lived to see his final wish come to fruition when the Government announced the establishment of a national cancer agency on September 1.
● A new Ma¯ ori Health Authority will be created, with power to commission health services.
● The Ministry of Health will become an advisory and policy agency only.
● A new Public Health agency will be created within the Ministry of Health.