West Auckland cancer patients will soon benefit from faster, more convenient treatment options, as a new community-based infusion centre opens in Henderson on Monday, part of what Health Minister Simeon Brown says is a practical shift toward a more responsive and locally focused health system.
“This is the first community-based cancer infusion centre in West Auckland, enabling more patients to receive treatment closer to home and reducing the need to travel to Auckland City Hospital,” Brown said.
The new centre, delivered by Health New Zealand in partnership with Te Whānau o Waipareira’s Whānau Centre, is designed to reduce pressure on major hospitals by bringing treatment closer to communities and improving patient flow across the system.
It will be open five days a week and will have four treatment chairs, allowing staff to see around 45 to 50 patients every week.
“Being able to receive treatment closer to home means less travel, less money spent on fuel, and the ability to stay more connected to family and loved ones during a challenging time.“
“This new centre builds on the infusion service opened at Waitākere Hospital last month and helps strengthen local cancer care options for West Auckland patients.”
Both services are part of a broader move to bring more cancer treatment into local communities so more New Zealanders can get care closer to home instead of having to travel to bigger city hospitals.
According to officials, around 13,000 additional cancer infusion treatments are expected to be delivered in 2025/26, reflecting a 12% increase in capacity as the system shifts toward more decentralised delivery.
The government has committed $210 million through Budget 2024 to expand infusion services nationwide, including new facilities, upgraded equipment, and workforce investment. This builds alongside a broader $604 million boost to Pharmac funding aimed at improving access to medicines and treatments.