title: Providing care for women with gynaecological malignancy: the need for a coordinated national approach.
abstract: Gynaecological cancer services in New Zealand have followed an evolutionary process rather than being centrally organised according to evidence on best practice. A report was recently commissioned by the Ministry of Health to review gynaecological cancer services and to provide guidance on the most efficient and effective way to delivery high quality, equitable care for women diagnosed with gynaecological cancers.  It is apparent the sustainability of current services is compromised by disparities in access to evidence-based multidisciplinary care, significant workforce shortages and a lack of standardised formal referral protocols. Key recommendations of the report include the establishment of an overarching national gynaecological cancer steering group and ultimately a four centre hub and spoke model of care provision.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christchurch Women's Hospital, Private Bag 4711, Christchurch, New Zealand. peter.sykes@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sykes
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chrystal
authors.forename: Nieves
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ehrenberg
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hefford
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hutchings
authors.forename: Ai Ling
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Bryony
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Simcock
authors.forename: Digby Ngan
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Kee
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009726:Nurses / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000078329:Workforce