Cancer Patients Avoid Trip

Nelson cancer patients have largely managed to avoid having to make trips across the Tasman for medical treatment, in contrast to other New Zealand hospitals.

MidCentral Health – which covers the area around Palmerston North – confirmed last week that 17 cancer patients were due to be flown to Australia for treatment.

It was an about face for the board, which had earlier denied it was considering the move.

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board medical manager Lindsey Bates said Nelson region patients tended to go to Christchurch for treatment but she had not been advised of any having to make the trip to Australia recently.

The board sent about four to five patients to Australia each year, mostly for specialised scans, and that was in line with most New Zealand health boards, she said.

A Christchurch Hospital spokeswoman said no Christchurch, nor any Nelson patients being treated in Christchurch, had been sent to Australia for treatment in the past year.

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