Southern Cross Head and Neck Services
A connected care pathway for the timely diagnosis and treatment of head and neck lumps, head and neck cancers, oral cancers, and thyroid conditions
The Southern Cross Head and Neck Services Clinic gives referrers access to an expedited course of care for patients with head and neck lumps, oral, thyroid or throat cancer, and other head and neck conditions.
Patients are seen by highly experienced Head and Neck, Oral, Thyroid, and Maxillofacial specialists. Imaging, biopsy, pathology review, diagnosis and treatment planning is provided as one coordinated service, as well as access to teams at Southern Cross Gillies Hospital, should surgery be required.
Why refer to Southern Cross
Head and Neck Services?
Timely diagnosis and decision-making
- We provide an expedited referral process. A one-stop clinic for rapid assessment and diagnosis.
- Through the Southern Cross Head and Neck Clinic, referrers can access a coordinated diagnosis and treatment planning service. For many patients, specialist assessment, imaging review, biopsy (if required), pathology, diagnosis and treatment planning can be progressed in a single appointment where clinically appropriate.
Referrers and patients are kept informed throughout, and defined next steps are provided following the assessment.
Expert-led, specialist care
- Patients are assessed by highly experienced Head and Neck, Thyroid, Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons.
- Patients with a cancer diagnosis, will be supported by New Zealand’s largest head and neck Multidisciplinary Meeting (MDM), supporting recommendations that reflect the patient’s diagnosis, clinical needs and treatment options.
- We take a patient-centred approach, helping the patient and their family decide on the best treatment option for them.
- Where surgery is required, care can be delivered at Southern Cross Gillies Hospital, with access to robotic surgery options in Auckland where clinically appropriate.
Multidisciplinary care you can trust
For Southern Cross Head and Neck Services patients with a cancer diagnosis, our preferred process is a review at a Multidisciplinary Meeting (MDM), held at Auckland City Hospital. These sessions bring together a team of surgeons, radiotherapy doctors, dentists, specialist nurses, and speech and swallow therapists to ensure:
- All appropriate treatment options are considered
- Decisions are evidence-based and independently validated
- Care is personalised to the patient’s clinical needs
Following the MDM, the treating specialist discusses recommendations, timeframes, risks, and benefits directly with the patient.
Head, neck, oral and thyroid services we specialise in
- Head and neck cancer and reconstruction
- Oral, tongue and lip cancers
- Neck lumps
- Salivary gland disorders, masses, surgery and sialendoscopy
- Thyroid nodules, cancer and surgery
-
Parathyroid surgery.
Our specialist team
The Southern Cross Head and Neck Service specialists have all undertaken extensive training in their specialty area and are recognised for their extensive surgical expertise.
Access
Patients across New Zealand may access our services via medical practitioner referral or self-referral, with care delivered through our Auckland-based clinics.
Services may be funded by health insurers, including AIA, nib Health Insurance, Partners Life, and Southern Cross Health Society, or self-funded. Any information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Statement.
The Southern Cross Head and Neck Service is part of Southern Cross Healthcare
Make a Referral
Contact us to refer a patient to the Southern Cross Head and Neck Clinic.
If you would like to know more about the Southern Cross Head and Neck Service please email admin@southerncrossheadneck.co.nz or phone 09 950 4442