Council Terms of Reference
The Council’s terms of reference outline our objectives, key tasks and working arrangements.
Introduction
The Government wants to improve the quality of cancer care in New Zealand, particularly around treatment waiting times. One of the six health targets focuses on improved waiting times for cancer services.
Objectives
The Cancer Control Council (“the Council”) is established under section 11of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 by the Minister of Health to provide an independent, sustainable focus for cancer control. The Council’s key objectives are to provide independent and expert advice to the Minister of Health and to report on New Zealand’s performance in providing cancer care. This will be achieved through providing independent advice on:
- Initiatives to reduce the mortality from cancer
- Initiatives to reduce the impact of cancer
- Initiatives to reduce inequalities in access to cancer services due to ethnicity, economic status, and place of domicile
- How effectively new initiatives have been implemented.
The Council will also report on progress in the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy.
Accountability
The Council is accountable to the Minister of Health through the Council Chair.
Key Tasks
The Council is responsible for providing independent strategic advice on the cancer control continuum from primary prevention, early detection, screening, diagnosis, treatment including supportive care and palliative care. The Council will provide advice to the Minister of Health in six main areas:
- Screening and early diagnosis of common cancers
- Diagnostic and treatment services for cancer patients
- Workforce requirements for cancer services
- Equity of access to cancer services
- Cancer data and information
- High quality cancer research.
The Council will also:
- Report on New Zealand’s performance in providing cancer care
- Provide other advice as requested by the Minister of Health or by agreement with the Minister of Health.
Working Arrangements
The Cancer Control Council will agree its work programme with the Minister of Health.
The Council will meet bi-monthly.
The Chair, Deputy Chair and Secretariat of the Council will meet with the Minister of Health on a bi-monthly basis. A written report is to be provided to the Minister of Health prior to the meeting.
A secretariat will support the Council’s work.
The Council will utilise whatever means it deems appropriate to collect information, including use of national work groups, local networks, and published and unpublished literature. When appropriate, the Council is expected to network for information from overseas organisations and experts, particularly those in Australia and other Commonwealth countries, where health services have experienced similar difficulties with cancer control as New Zealand.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health will regularly attend part of each meeting to provide information to the Council and report to the Council on progress of the Ministry’s work programme. However, unless requested, the Ministry will not attend deliberations of Council.
Membership
The 10 member Council, including the Chair and Deputy Chair, will be appointed by Ministerial letter and will include senior practitioners who are identified as having a leadership role in core cancer disciplines. Consumers will also be represented.
Terms of Membership
The term for any Member is up to a amaximum of three terms (six years).
Termination of the Council
The Minister of Health may by written notice terminate the Council or the appointment of a member or chair of the Council.
Confidentiality
Media statements about Council recommendations will be directed to the Chair or at the Chair’s invitation, the Deputy Chair. The Chair or Deputy Chair will provide the Minister of Health or the Minister’s office with advance notice of any media statements. All Council meetings will be held ‘in committee’, and minutes of proceedings will not be circulated outside the Council. It is expected that official Council reports to the Minister of Health will be released into the Public Domain once the Minister of Health has agreed. The Council’s proceedings and advice are covered by the Official Information Act 1982.
