Sepuloni Carmel: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeSepuloni Carmel: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 15 October 2015. Volume:709;Page:7286. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.CARMEL SEPULONI (Labour—Kelston) to the Minister for Social Development: What percentage of cancer patients receiving benefits have been found to not really have cancer due to the requirement that they submit regular medical certificates to Work and Income New Zealand?Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister for Social Development): I regret I am unable to answer this as the ministry advises that this information is held within individual client files. However I can say that I am unaware of any case where a patient has been found to not have cancer after they have provided an additional medical certificate to Work and Income. Medical certificates have been a requirement since 1972. The purpose of providing them to Work and Income is to ascertain the client’s ability to work not whether they have cancer which is a decision for their medical practitioner. This Government is committed to making sure that those who are unable to work are granted an exemption from looking for work while they undergo treatment.Carmel Sepuloni: Does the woman who spoke to Radio New Zealand who had to get the hospital to fax through evidence of her breast cancer surgery on the day of her surgery deserve special consideration?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: All people who are eligible and receiving support through a benefit who are on a job seeker health condition and disability benefit have to provide medical certificates as they have done since 1972. It is unfortunate when that occurs on the same day as their treatment. I have met with the Cancer Society of New Zealand and I have guaranteed it that the Ministry of Social Development will work to make sure that this process is handled as sensitively and carefully as it can be.Carmel Sepuloni: Does Robyn Kilpatrick who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy and will be having two surgeries deserve special consideration given that she is planning to return to work in January all going well?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: I think all of us would accept that people undergoing such a difficult treatment process need special consideration. However as I say medical certificates have been required since 1972. What I have asked of the ministry is that it makes sure that these people are treated with sensitivity and that the system is made as easy as possible for them.Carmel Sepuloni: I seek leave to table a letter to Robyn Kilpatrick dated 2 October 2015 from Work and Income requiring her to go in for a meeting to discuss how she is preparing for work.Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought to table that particular letter. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled.Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.Carmel Sepuloni: Does a person with aggressive ovarian cancer deserve special consideration or should they also make themselves available for work?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: If they are on a job seeker health condition and disability benefit they are not required to be looking for work. If the member has any examples as I have said to the Cancer Society yesterday if there are any examples where that is happening please let my office know and we will make sure that it finishes as quickly as possible.Carmel Sepuloni: Why does this Government not show some compassion and common sense and expand the supported living payment to people with a serious illness?Hon ANNE TOLLEY: Well the supported living payment is for people with a serious illness that means that for more than 2 years they will be ill. It is a specific benefit that is focused on those who have long-term illnesses long-term disabilities or a terminal illness and it is based on medical advice. So they are required to provide proof of that illness at 2 years 5 years or never depending on the advice from their medical practitioner.