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WHIRI: Pandemic system redesign to maximise Māori health gains

Year:
2020
Duration:
37 months
Approved budget:
$966,309.00
Researchers:
Dr Nina Scott
,
Dr Myra Ruka
,
Dr Amy Jones
,
Professor Jacquie Kidd
,
Mrs Lotta Bryant
,
Mrs Nadine Riwai
,
Dr Frances Robbins
Health issue:
Cancer (oncology)
Proposal type:
Project
Lay summary
Māori with cancer are twice as likely to die after a diagnosis of cancer as non-Māori. Cancer pathways deprive Māori of health gain and are not pandemic resilient. In the Waikato, COVID-19 led to a rapid reconfiguration of hauora services to meet Māori need. This included the Whānau Hauora Integrated Response Initiative (WHIRI); a wraparound whānau hauora assessment with proactive management and navigation by clinicians. There are well documented significant inequities from time of referral through to cancer diagnosis which are exacerbated by COVID-19. Cancer nurse engagement is variable along this part of the cancer pathway, care quality is not well monitored, and the pathway is not pandemic resilient. We will redesign WHIRI for the cancer pathway from referral to diagnosis. This will be informed by evidence; clinical notes review; patient, whānau and staff interviews; and stakeholder engagement. We will pilot, evaluate and develop a service toolkit for national rollout.