BCAC’s Chris Walsh chairs new cancer consumer advisory group

The inaugural meeting of the Cancer Consumer Representative Advisory Group was held on 29th March 2012. This group has been set up to provide advice on the support, recruitment, development and training for cancer consumer representatives across the cancer spectrum. BCAC committee members Dr Chris Walsh and Rowena Mortimer are members of the group whose membership is made up of representatives of the regional cancer networks, NGO's, cancer groups and Māori.

At their first meeting the group reviewed the terms of reference and a work plan to promote CCR activity. Dr Chris Walsh, the group’s newly elected chair, says "the group is united in its desire to improve the representation of cancer consumers across the cancer spectrum and make a positive impact on cancer services."

The Central Cancer Network is the lead network managing the Ministry of Health contract to undertake this work. The next meeting is set for June 28th in Wellington and the minutes and group updates will be distributed via the regional cancer network websites.