Australian & New Zealand Head and Neck Society 8th Annual Scientific Meeting

Master of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni

In particular may I recognise, Dr Del Hinckley, President of the Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Society;, ,Convenor of this Meeting; Dr Swee Tan and other members of the organising committee, ,Dr Craig MacKinnon, Dr David Hamilton and Dr Francis Hall; Dr Stewart Sinclair, President of the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons; Dr Charles Davis, Convenor of the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons' Meeting; and Distinguished guests otherwise.

Thank you for inviting me here today to launch this important meeting. And for those of you from out of zone, welcome to both our capital Wellington and our country, New Zealand.

This is the first time New Zealand has hosted the Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Society's annual scientific meeting and it is accordingly a matter of significance  to have so many eminent health professionals gathered here at one time.

The meeting affords recognition of the valuable work of the Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial and Burns Unit at HuttHospital and the Department of Otolaryngology and Wellington Cancer Centre and the Mid-Central Cancer Centre.

These organisations have, together, an extensive track record of excellence and innovation in the field of dealing with head and neck cancers and so it is fitting for them to host this meeting.

Whether by chance or design, the meeting overlaps with the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons'  Annual Scientific Meeting.

As a result, there is present in this room today an admirable collection of best minds on matters relating to head and neck cancer. It seems especially important that these meetings coincide because, by virtue of its complex nature, the treatment of head and neck cancer requires collaboration between a broad range of professionals.

Positive interaction and cross-fertilisation of ideas between clinicians, trainees and allied health professionals seem essential for improving outcomes for patients. I am therefore certain that it is not coincidental, for the theme of this meeting to be that of improving outcomes.

Multidisciplinary forums are more and more necessary for those involved in  caring for and treating people and this of course applies to professionals dealing with head and neck cancers. Collaboration will advance this area of health.

I have been briefed about significant advances in the last 30 years. Among them are advances in plastic surgery, which has played a vital role in restoring quality of life to those inflicted by head and neck cancers and this makes the over-lap of meetings today fortuitous.

Head and neck cancer places a considerable burden on those affected. Not only are they faced with a complex health issue of which they most often will have no existing knowledge, but they are also faced with accompanying social and personal issues which can be as devastating.

They are confronted, ultimately, both with a threat to life and to continued enjoyment of their lives and families.

At all points in their treatment, your skills, knowledge, research and care are critical to giving them the best possible opportunity for a positive outcome.

Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial to deal with the complicated problems of head and neck cancer. Only with this collaboration, can so much be achieved to mitigate the cancer's effect, and to bring hope for cure.

As you may be aware, my professional background has its roots in the law, not in medicine. As a result, some of the terms which are a second language to you are, for me, a little closer to Greek.

However, while our disciplines are distinct in substance, they have at their heart a common denominator. That is, both professions are intrinsically linked with the welfare of people.

While one profession protects and promotes people's rights to a healthy life, the other seeks to protect our rights to living in a fair and free country. In this way, I understand what drives you to always seek a better result for your patients.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you. In your various ways, you help people. Whether you are a surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a pathologist, or an allied health professional, you play a vital role in alleviating human suffering. 

This conference is your opportunity to make progress in the field of head and neck cancer. It is your chance to share current wisdom and ideas, new technology and cutting-edge innovation.

And it is your opportunity to find ways to improve outcomes for all those suffering from head and neck cancer.

Before closing, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of those who have made this meeting a reality. It is no mean feat bringing together so many highly regarded health professionals - they are notoriously busy and in demand.

I am sure the outcomes of this meeting will be well worth the effort.  And I am also certain that you will enjoy the hospitality that Wellington has to offer - perhaps those of you who are here for the first time will even have a chance for a little sightseeing which is something I recommend.

I have great pleasure in declaring this meeting officially open.

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa