The history of our support group to 2014

I met with Susan Comber, former social worker. She retired from ADHB in 2014. Susan was one of those who created the Friends and Family (FAF) Support Group about 20 years ago. This group later became the Oral Cancer Support Group, and then the Head and Neck Support Group. Susan worked closely with Jeanette Gillibrand, and Val McIntyre.

The team took a holistic view of providing support for HNC patients. They responded by adopting a "whole person approach", taking into account the psychological, and social needs
of the patient.  The idea of the group was to provide a forum for sharing. Susan stayed actively involved until she retired in 2014.

Susan saw a tremendous advancement in surgical treatment for HNC, and an increase in survivorship. She thought the Ward 74 team was outstanding, leading the way with ward meetings and a multi-disciplinary team.  As treatment advanced, so did the reconstructive capacity of plastic surgeons to restore patients.

Susan said that dental treatment and dental reconstruction costs have been a long term issue. The effects of RT/Chemo on teeth have a detrimental effect on social life, and an impact on appearance. She had been involved with Steven Cook in writing to the then Minister of Health, Pete Hodgson. There was no progress and the issue was dropped. The letter from the Minister stated the Ministry did not provide funding for individual care.

Susan is acutely aware of the pressures on patients. She talked about HNC as being the
“worst diagnosis of all, and the worst amputation”   Diana