Resources to help Navigate the NZ Healthcare System
A toolbox of support services that can be of use to you now or in the future as you navigate your health journey.
I have found that many clients facing a cancer diagnosis struggle to navigate the healthcare system and find that there are often support services that they come across randomly or with a delayed timing. New Zealanders are privileged in that we have different providers, charities, and health care systems. The following is a general summary of the healthcare system in New Zealand and is current as of the date of publishing and the final section contains a range of support services that you can connect with as required.
Please note the following:
I would expect that overtime the services offered by the various departments or charities may change, if you find something that I could add into this list please do let me know.
I have made this list with an Auckland region dominance as that is the region my Physiotherapy clients live, however many of the more local descriptions below will likely have an equivalent service in other regions around New Zealand. Please do your research to find your local providers.
I have included the names of services as well as the most appropriate internet links (however please forgive me if the external service changes their links which means the link provided will not work). In these cases, a google search should suffice in the first instance and please also let me know and I will update the link promptly.
Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai (Auckland District Health Board = ADHB)
Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau (Counties Manukau District Health Board = CMDHB)
NZ healthcare system : An Overview
Public Healthcare
GP services are partially publicly funded.
Public Hospital services are publicly funded for New Zealanders.
Hospital Inpatient (major hospitals – e.g. Middlemore & Auckland)
Rehabilitation inpatient services
Adult Health & rehabilitation of the Older person (Counties)
Older people’s health, Rehab Plus (Auckland)
Outpatient / Specialist clinics
SupaClinic (Counties)
Greenlane Clinical Centre (Auckland)
Blood testing services (many blood tests are publicly funded).
GPs maybe able to refer you to appropriate publicly funded services such as dieticians, home based registered nurse services and home healthcare services that are based on a ‘needs assessment’ (e.g. showering/dressing/cooking/cleaning support). GPs can also refer for publicly funded or partially funded investigations such as X-rays, Ultrasounds, biopsy and the like. There are many other publicly funded services that doctors/nurses/specialists/physios etc can refer you to so please if you have a concern discuss it with your healthcare team.
Hospice care (often hospice require both government funding and charity-based funding).
Private healthcare
Funded by private health insurance, sometimes public-private partnerships, individual funded.
Private specialist outpatient clinics for specific cancer types
Assessment and investigation of your cancer.
Privately funded investigations such as CT, MRI, X-Rays, Bone density scans, biopsy, Ultrasound, PET scan (according to what your specialist refers you for).
Treatment of your cancer
Privately funded chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, reconstruction surgery (e.g. breast cancer reconstruction), hormone replacement therapy and other types of cancer treatments.
Private healthcare can also include other healthcare services which I will not go into detail here but think dieticians, lymphatic massage, lymphatic garments, counselling, psychologists, physiotherapists and the like. Some of these services can have some funding via the charities below.
Charities
Each charity has its own aims and targets. Most types of cancers have their own charity arm attached to it. Many charities have support groups that can help you talk with counsellors and people going through a similar health challenge to yourself. Many people find these services useful.
NZ Cancer Society
Supports people with any type of cancer with an information helpline, psychological support and coping strategies and so much more.
Check out your specific cancer foundation website and also follow your specific cancer foundation on social media (Facebook / Instagram), often there can be useful information through these channels. If you do not want to follow them, perhaps your loved ones can follow them on your behalf and let you know if anything of interest comes up. I’ve included some cancer foundation websites below but please do some research if your specific cancer type is not included here (and then let me know so I can add it in).
Brain Cancer
Brain Tumour Support: Informative website, easy to follow support network systems and links to support services.
White Matter Trust: This Trust will consider funding any activity that will help alleviate stress within families and enhance the quality of life of brain cancer patients. For example, this may involve respite care assistance, making a family holiday possible, assisting a spouse who has had to take time off to care for their partner or helping make a wish come true that would not otherwise be possible. https://www.whitematterbraincancertrust.nz/
The Tahu Hikuroa Foundation is a support organisation for brain tumour patients and their whanau. They provide practical support in various formats such as home cleaning, gardening, food vouchers and meal deliveries.
Breast cancer specific services
Public hospital: Lymphoedema services
In main public hospitals, you can be referred by a medical professional to a Lymphoedema Service. This is particularly important if you are noticing swelling or pain or change in size of clothing on your affected breast, chest, axilla, arm, forearm or hand. Get referred early!
Public Funding for prosthesis and bras - if a doctor/surgeon/breastcare nurse fills out a form you can access funding for post operative bras and prosthesis. Good bra fitters can support you with this process. An example is https://www.naturalwear.co.nz/ they have links to forms and how to access this funding.
Breast Cancer Foundation provides a registered nurse phone call service if you should need any questions answered or support. This service also helps to streamline clients towards the following services. Some funding maybe available for some services:
Lymphoedema Therapy (such as me)
This can be really useful as we can often be accessed much FASTER than the public system so you can start your therapy quickly which is vital for lymphoedema therapy.
PINC & STEEL Physiotherapy services (such as me)
Counselling
Many clients also benefit from the ‘heart shaped pillows’ that the Breast Cancer Foundation often has in stock hand made by volunteers. These are useful for post op breast surgery for comfort. Email Breastnurse@bcf.org.nz to see if this is available.
Busting with Life Dragon Boating:
Join a supportive group of people recovering from or living with breast cancer and go Dragon Boating! I believe they only do this in the summer and does require a degree of physical ability. www.bustingwithlife.org.nz
Metastatic Breast Cancer online support network:
Sweet Louise
Advanced breast cancer charity service that provides practical, emotional and social support and services for New Zealanders living with incurable breast cancer. Services include:
Support coordinators
Social support – events and online
Practical support including emergency vouchers
A range of vouchers for complementary therapies and initiatives which includes PINC & STEEL Physiotherapists like myself, compression wear, meals, transport and other such practical support.
Bowel Cancer NZ
Support services include a patient and family support group, Bowel cancer nurse support service and funding Physiotherapists such as myself through PINC & STEEL NZ
Gut Cancer
Gut Cancer includes oesophageal, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreatic and bowel cancer and the website contains support and information specific to these cancers.
Lung Cancer Foundation
This is an informative website, it’s worth having a look at their pdf information sheets for practical support and information.
Melanoma
General support resources and information
Gynaecological cancer
General information website and support services.
Tip: Follow ‘Talk Peach’ on their social pages - they are really creative and provide information at the same time! https://www.facebook.com/talkpeach1
Leukaemia
The comprehensive website outlines methods of support and information including support networks, advocacy and financial assistance.
Children / Youth
Child Cancer Foundation: Comprehensive support service for children with a cancer diagnosis and their families.
CANTEEN provides support for people aged 13-24 and dealing your own cancer
Hospice Services:
Hospice is a philosophy of care working with people whose illness is no longer curable, the goal is around providing quality of life, managing pain and symptoms to enable people to live every moment in whatever way is important to them.
Many hospice facilities offer a range of supportive services and complimentary therapies that can be accessed as an outpatient service such as counselling, support groups, massage, exercise groups and more. Many cancer clients can access these during cancer treatments. Get in touch with your local hospice to see what services they can offer or discuss with your medical team for a referral.
Totara Hospice
South and East Auckland based hospice services including inpatient, advice line and wrap around outpatient support. There are a range of services including counseling, social work, cultural support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, arts therapy and spiritual support to assist and support patients and their families. A ‘Day stay’ programme is available. Investigate the website below and talk with your healthcare team for a referral.
https://www.hospice.co.nz/what-we-do/patients-family-members/
Dove Hospice:
Based in Glendowie, Auckland: You can refer yourself to these services including Nursing, Medical advice, lymphoedema therapies, Body therapies, workshops, exercise and support groups. There is also a small inpatient service.
Mercy Hospice
Based in Ponsonby, Auckland and provides inpatient services as well as day services. Examples of day services are group education sessions and group exercise sessions.
PINC & STEEL Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation
As you know I provide cancer rehabilitation through this foundation. I provide individualised physiotherapy and therapeutic movement therapy for people at any stage of their cancer journey. For more information about my services see https://www.rachaelkingstone.co.nz/physiotherapy
You can also apply to see if you qualify for some funding for physiotherapy services through PINC & STEEL foundation or many individual cancer charities (including bowel cancer, breast cancer foundation and Sweet Louise).
For those who are looking for more of a physical challenge and are in the rebuilding phase of your recovery then check out the following additional services that PINC & STEEL provides in various locations across New Zealand:
NEXT STEPS (Part-funded Group fitness programme – pilates, yoga, relaxation):
One hour per week for ten weeks group fitness programme (usually $10 per session). https://www.pincandsteel.com/programs/next-steps/
PADDLE BOARDING:
1 screening session one on one.
1 session per week for 4 weeks Paddle boarding group programme. $40 for whole programme (and a support person can join you for $20 per session).
All equipment provided.
Home support:
Support Crew is a FREE online support platform that easily co-ordinates meals, transport or any other help that’s needed from family and friends. You (or your loved ones on your behalf) set up a free page that is private to you and your support network. Through this page you can request from your friends and family to help you with things like shopping, cooking, dog walking, cleaning, transport and the like.
I’d highly recommend this to help facilitate practical actions of support from your family and friends - check it out!!!
Beauty:
Petal Trust
This is a charity to help replace eyelashes post chemo. See the links below.
http://www.petaltrust.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/petalcharitabletrust/
Look good feel better
Provides free, community-based programmes for any person, with any cancer, at any stage of their treatment. Online and face to face support services such as skincare and makeup, wigs, scarves and headwear use.
The Wigs and Hairpieces Service Payment
Please note this is a publicly funded service but due being appropriate has been included in this section
This is a Ministry of Health funded service that provides funding towards wigs and hairpieces for those who have permanent or temporary hair loss from cancer therapies.
If you have cancer and have children or teenagers the following services could be appropriate to support them understand and process your cancer diagnosis:
Medikidz:
Medikidz is a global initiative set up by several New Zealand Doctors to explain medical information to children. The Medikidz superheroes are used to explain medical conditions, investigations, diagnoses, medicines and surgical procedures to young patients and their families – in a way that they can understand. Have a google to see if there is a book resource appropriate for your diagnosis.
CANTEEN
Provides support for people aged 13-24 who have a parent or sibling who have a cancer diagnosis.
Skylight
This is a great hub of information to support children, young people and their families navigate challenging times. Think counselling, support packs and relevant resources to support you and your family. https://www.skylight.org.nz/
Kenzie’s gift
Supports the mental health of children, young people and families affected by serious illness or bereavement including the provision of one on one therapy with registered mental health professionals and online resources.
I hope you have managed to get to the end of this list, it might be useful straight away or in the future so keep referring back to it. If you feel overwhelmed, perhaps a family member or support person could have a look at the list and keep an eye on it for ideas for future support. Please remember that there are a host of people in the healthcare system willing to support you, listen to you and walk with you step by step so please utilise the services that you need and keep the communication open with your healthcare team so they can help you with what is most important to you.