Working Group Report
1 November 2013– 31 March 2014
Pacific Working Group
MEETINGS HELD: Nil
GROUP MEMBERSHIP:
Janet Mikkelsen has been replaced by Bridget Smith- Nurse educator, Starship Blood and Cancer Centre.
Isaiah Immanuel returned to CWM Hospital, Suva, Fiji to work, in February 2014
KEY ACTIVITIES/ACHIEVEMENTS (last report November 2013)
· 29 November – 2 December 2013: Parent support* visit to Suva and Lautoka by Simon Lala, Jane Skeen and Tom Doonan (Textile Recycling- long time supporter Child Cancer Foundation NZ and likely future supporter /donor to World Child Cancer Charitable Trust). Proposal submitted to Walk on Walk Strong (WOWS) in Fiji for joint funding (with World Child Cancer Charitable Trust) of two Community Outreach nurses – one to be based in Suva, other in Lautoka. Response awaited from WOWS. Final costings pending from Chrissy Bond.
· 28-31 October 2013- return visit* by Jane Skeen, Janet Masina and Bridget Smith to Samoa with patient AS (diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in July 2013- returning to Samoa for continuation therapy). Teaching around LP IT MTX and IV vincristine given. 7 other patients reviewed- 2 confirmed with cancer diagnosis and referred to Starship for initiation of treatment – chemotherapy +/- surgery, I child off chemotherapy.
· 13—17 March 2014- visit* to Tonga by Jane Skeen, Janet Masina and Bridget Smith for launch Tongan version “Early warning signs Childhood Cancer”
· Fiji- ongoing weekly Teleconference -Christchurch with Suva and Lautoka. Recent outbreak Dengue in Fiji.
· Vanuatu- also affected by Dengue. Have been made aware of a cluster of Leukaemia cases. Details requested. Paediatric capacity to be ascertained. Previously 2 children with cancer from Vanuatu treated in Lautoka Fiji.
· Protocols: PI –ALL-2 being used in Fiji. Tonga to consider once they have delivered some consolidation therapy in country.
· Guidelines: Nutrition – draft completed (Isaiah and Chrissy)-still yet to be circulated
EMERGING ISSUES
· Fiji: Need for a nursing link between hospital and the community in Suva and Lautoka. Position description “Registered Nurse Paediatric Oncology Community Outreach”- developed by Chrissy, to be finalised. Funding – potential source* identified for 3 years (see above). Other issues still under discussion: reporting lines, salary, vehicle costs and timeline.
· Workload impact of “Twinning with Fiji” on Christchurch Paediatric Oncologists- to be discussed by the wider Christchurch team, due to be reported back to the April working group meeting.
· Pharmaceutical supplies – Fiji- request for two agents, funded from ‘Fiji Paediatric chemotherapy’ fund sent to Suva via ADHB pharmacy,
· Work load and competing activities continue as an ongoing issue for some members of the working group. As a result slow progress being made on protocol and guideline revision and development.
· Samoa- whilst encouraging that three children receiving chemotherapy at TTM- no clear designated ‘medical’ or ‘nursing’ lead. Amazing support and lobbying from Samoa Cancer Society. Issue re ongoing drug supply and ‘loss’ of a chemotherapy agent that had returned with one of the children. Issues on the agenda for May 2014 visit.
RECOMMENDATIONS
-Finalise Fijian Nursing position descriptions, timeline for advertising, appointment and commencement of work. Chase WOWS Fiji for a response to funding proposal
-Finalise Fijian Early warning signs Childhood Cancer for possible July 2014 launch.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
· 15 April 2014-Face to face working group meeting in Christchurch
· 26-29 May 2014 return visit to Samoa by Jane Skeen, Peter Bradbeer, Janet Masina and Bridget Smith – at the request of the paediatric team and already approved by General Manager and Chief Medical Officer NHS,
· Mid 2014- VMS visit to Fiji by Rob Corbett and Paediatric Oncology nurse
· 2014-Launch Fijian Early warning signs in Fiji- date to be advised.
EXPENDITURE
NCCN: Cost face to face meeting ( airfares/accommodation 0 (Melissa to advise)
Non- NCCN
* funding provided by the World Child Cancer Charitable Trust
UPCOMING MEETINGS
15 April 2014-Face to face working group meeting in Christchurch
Dr Jane Skeen
Convenor
24 March 2014