Urgent briefing on child cancer

Tony Ryall

The National Party is asking for an urgent briefing for MPs on the possible collapse of child cancer services at Wellington Hospital.

Last month the hospital saw its sole remaining child cancer specialist resign.

Capital and Coast District Health Board has said it is exploring a shared child cancer service with Christchurch Hospital.

In the meantime several child cancer sufferers and their parents are having to travel to Auckland or Christchurch for advanced-level treat-ment.

Parents have been vocal about the stress the situation is putting on them and their sick children.

National's health spokesman, Tony Ryall, said yesterday that he would write to Parliament's health select committee seeking the briefing. The Wellington service treats about 20 to 30 children a year.

- NZPA