Background/Rationale
The Cancer Psychological and Social Support Services (CPSSS) initiative is a jointly led programme by Health New Zealand and the Cancer Control Agency|Te Aho o Te Kahu. It aims to improve psychosocial outcomes for cancer patients and whānau. A central feature is a national data collection system designed to inform service delivery, monitor equity, and support continuous improvement.
Methods
Launched in 2016 by Ministry of Health and expanded nationwide by 2019, the initiative initially faced challenges due to inconsistent service structures across districts. A working group was formed to standardise data fields and improve reporting. Data is collected post-referral and post-discharge using templated spreadsheets, then securely transferred via Enhanced File Transfer (EFT) to Health NZ for validation. Service-level data (e.g., support type, duration) is integrated with demographic data (e.g., age, ethnicity, deprivation index) from national health collections.
Impact on Practice
Aggregated, non-identifiable data is visualised through an R Shiny dashboard, enabling real-time insights into service volumes, equity of access, prioritisation of high-risk populations, and regional delivery patterns. Reports are shared internally and with sector partners under strict privacy protocols, including suppression of small numbers and access controls. This approach supports transparent, data-informed decision-making and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
Discussion
The CPSSS highlights the value of secure, standardised, and ethically governed data systems in national health planning. Future developments include implementing a unified electronic patient management system and transitioning to an automated ETL pipeline and centralised data warehouse to improve efficiency and reduce manual handling risks.