5. Question No. 5—HealthHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 5—Health5. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Health: How is the wellbeing of cancer patients in New Zealand affected by the Government's policies and actions in health?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): This Government has prioritised the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders including those living with cancer since day one. The Wellbeing Budget included a $2.8 billion uplift in funding for district health boards (DHBs)—the largest in at least the last decade. That will support DHBs to continue to deliver the full range of cancer treatments and interventions including screening programmes radiotherapy chemotherapy and surgery. We're also moving to make those services better and more consistent through the interim cancer action plan which is currently being finalised. The Budget also included specific funding of $36 million to extend the bowel screening programme to a further four DHBs which when rolled out will benefit an additional 70000 New Zealanders per annum. And $1.7 billion in capital spending was included for health in the Budget some of which will support better and more advanced cancer treatment.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has he seen comments from former Dunedin-based cancer patient Claudine Johnstone To me this isn't about politics; this is about people's lives."? And does he believe her wellbeing has been improved by the Government's policies and actions?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I haven't seen those comments.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Does he support Dunedin North MP Dr David Clark's advocacy for Dunedin resident Stuart Neil's wellbeing after his file was misplaced resulting in urgent surgery for advanced bladder cancer?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I have not got that detail in front of me.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Does he believe Dr Clark's holding up in this House of the photo of a 79-year-old cancer patient who waited for an extended period at Auckland Hospital is appropriate and tasteful advocacy for the wellbeing of cancer patients?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I think members do need to be very careful in this House as to how they use individual cases if that's the point the member's making.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is it the Government's intention to make sure all Kiwis get world-class cancer treatment; and if so in which Government document speech or statement is this commitment contained?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I've said many times—in fact in many question times over the past week I have reinforced this Government's focus on the importance of the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders including those living with cancer. I also think the fact that we are investing in our health system which was neglected for nine long years under that Government speaks louder than any kind of pledges.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well it's actually a lie.Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I actually think that what matters is we continue to deliver the cancer care—SPEAKER: Order! Mr Brownlee stand withdraw and apologise.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I withdraw and apologise. I raise a point of order Mr Speaker.SPEAKER: I'm going to warn the member that there can't be an excuse for what he just did.Hon Gerry Brownlee: No it's not; it's a question. What is the remedy for anyone sitting in this House listening to comment delivered supposedly in the public interest that is if not questionable certainly very very debatable?SPEAKER: I would have thought the answer to that was obvious: at the end of question time there's a debate. Debate it.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Has he seen comments from the Cancer Society's Shayne Nahu whose society was disappointed to see cancer not being made a priority and—quote—"For a long time now we have been advocating for a cancer agency but we have seen no commitment from the Government for this."? And is that a sign that he won't deliver on his promise of world-class cancer treatment?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: This Government is focused on delivering an interim cancer action plan in coming weeks. That is what we said would be in place when the director-general pledged to have an interim cancer action plan in place by the middle of this year. That's not news—that's not news to the member. That was announced at the time just to be clear so that the sector and others can have an opportunity to provide feedback on that interim plan so that we do have a plan that those working in the sector will stand behind. Let's acknowledge that while this Government is determined to put a lot more money into health than the previous Government did because we do believe in making sure we have an adequately funded public health system we are also dependent on the clinicians and the cancer experts who get up every day and go to work and provide that quality cancer care. And I want to salute them for the hard work they did previously in an underfunded environment and I also want to thank them for the work that they will do to improve cancer outcomes with the new cancer action plan when it is in place."