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Funding for hospices and cancer drugs for people in Wairarapa is getting a $523,000 shot in the arm.
Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer today released figures showing that in 2005-06, the Wairarapa and Midcentral District Health Boards are getting a combined $311,956 for palliative care and a collective $44,949 to buy new cancer drugs and to widen access to already subsidised treatments.
The government cash represents the boards' shares of almost an extra $6 million to support the country's 37 hospices and $4m for cancer drugs across the country.
Ms Beyer said individual hospices ? including Te Omanga Wairarapa in Masterton ? can now negotiate their level of top-up funding with the District Health Board.
"Supporting the hospice movement is something all governments should do.
"Today's $5.9 million allocation ensures all hospices can get funding for all their essential services and for up to about two thirds of their total costs.
"Five years ago, the National-led government contributed a paltry 50 per cent of hospice operating costs; returning to that sort of funding would only hurt cancer sufferers and their families," said Ms Beyer.
The funding is being distributed to DHBs on a population basis, and is the first phase of a $40 million Cancer Control Strategy unveiled in March by Health Minister Annette King. The Government is committing $40 million to the strategy, every year for the next four years.
The Cancer Control Strategy Action Plan also includes $13.2 million to extend the age range for breast screening and evaluation of colorectal screening policy; $6.4 million for health activities in schools such free fruit; $2.2 million to help people stop smoking; $3.2 million for research and development; and $1.1 million for workforce development.
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