The 2009 Cancer Care Survey

The 2009 Cancer Care Survey: the experience of people accessing outpatient treatment services for their cancer during a 6-month period

From Monday 8 June 2009, some (former) cancer patients will receive a survey about their experience of cancer care.  A survey like this has not been done before across NZ.

The Cancer Control Council (CCC) of New Zealand is committed to ensuring that people affected by cancer receive the best possible care from the New Zealand health system. In order to do this we need to know whether ‘service users’ of the health system have received cancer services which measure up to their expectations. The 2009 Cancer Care Survey has been developed to gain information about people’s experience as a ‘customer’ of health services.  

What is the 2009 Cancer Care Survey about?

The Cancer Care Survey aims to find out how people feel about all aspects of the cancer care they have received through New Zealand’s public health system. The results from the survey will help the CCC to look at the quality of care provided across NZ. This information will allow us to develop recommendations on how all patients can receive the best possible level of care wherever they live in NZ.

Who is carrying out the survey?

The survey is being carried out by the Cancer Control Council of New Zealand. The CCC is a Ministerial Advisory Committee, chaired by Dame Catherine Tizard, which provides independent advice to the Minister of Health on all matters relating to cancer. This advice is aimed at reducing the incidence and impact of cancer and reducing inequalities with respect to cancer.

Who has been asked to participate?

Individual ‘service users’ have been randomly selected to participate in this survey if they received outpatient cancer treatment in the public system during the past 12 months.

How will you know if you have been selected to participate?

The Cancer Control Council is working in partnership with the cancer treatment facilities around NZ.  Following ethics committee approval of the survey by New Zealand’s National Ethics Committee, the District Health Board’s provided contact details for people who received cancer treatment in the past year to the CCC.   There were 500 people chosen randomly per region from the lists.  A survey will be sent by NZ Post to those people selected to participate.

How can a survey improve cancer care?

We think the survey results can inform advice provided to the Minister of Health on New Zealand’s national and regional performance in delivering cancer care that meets the quality expectations of the public. Recommendations, based on the survey results, will also be given to the participating cancer treatment facilities on ways that they can better provide patient-centered care. By measuring the patient experience we can relate how effective the public health system is at meeting our communities’ and individuals’ needs and expectations.  In other words, survey responses should help improve services for people affected by cancer in the future.

Where can I find out about the survey results?

A report containing the survey results will be published here from late 2009.

Who should I talk to if I have a complaint?

If you do not wish to be contacted further about the survey, please let us know by calling 0800 162 002.

This survey is not the best way to make a formal complaint about your cancer care, as the researchers will not be able to help you resolve it. If you would like to make a formal complaint about your experience, please contact the relevant health facility directly. Alternatively, you may visit Health & Disability Commissioner’s website or call the Commissioner’s office  on 0800 555 050 for more advice on your options.

Do you have questions?

Please call the survey hotline 0800 162 002 (free call) to find out more.