Dean Jacqui: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers Questions to MembersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDean Jacqui: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members[Sitting date: 23 October 2014. Volume:701;Page:205. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]4.JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki)to the Minister of Health: What is the Government doing to provide faster cancer services for New Zealanders?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health):The House will be aware that 6 years ago the National Government inherited cancer services that were failing New Zealanders. This Government has invested more than $100 million extra to support people with cancer and get cancer services back on track. The 100 percent achievement of the international gold standard 4-week waiting time target for patients to receive their radiation or chemotherapy treatment has seen patients receiving faster treatment and unlike under Labour no patients have had to go overseas for treatment.Jacqui Dean: What recent announcements has the Government made to further speed up cancer treatment?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: From 1 October the Government introduced a new faster cancer treatment target that will ensure patients see a cancer specialist and receive treatment faster than ever before. The new target will see people with suspected cancer receive faster access to all services from diagnostic tests to surgery or other treatment. Our goal is that 90 percent of patients will receive their first treatment within a maximum of 62 days of seeing their GP by June 2017. The maximum 62-day wait is an international gold standard for cancer treatment. It builds on the gains that we have made over the past 6 years and provides New Zealanders with even faster cancer services.Jacqui Dean: What role is new technology playing in delivering faster better care for cancer patients?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: Recently I visited the radiotherapy treatment unit at Auckland City Hospital and saw first-hand the impact that additional investment in new technology is having on providing patients with an overall better experience during their hospital stay. Following a successful pilot earlier this year the Auckland District Health Board has invested $1.5 million in new cancer equipment. The use of a new RayStation computer program enables the enhanced use of the linear accelerator for radiation treatment. This new system means that pinpoint accuracy in targeting the cancer is achieved that shorter treatment times are occurring and that more New Zealanders are receiving their treatment more quickly.Dr Russel Norman: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I did not wish to interrupt the member’s line of questioning but the primary question was from the Government side and the Minister in his first answer to the primary question attacked the Labour Party. The question Mr Speaker is whether your view is that that is an acceptable way for us to start the 51st Parliament with the Minister using a question from—Mr SPEAKER: I have heard enough. It is not helpful for any Minister to start a question with an attack on another political party or an Opposition member. In that case I thought it was a relatively mild comment on his interpretation of a former Government’s action. I did not personally perceive it to be an attack.