Key points
- Breast Cancer Foundation NZ offers nationwide counselling for patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and those at high risk of developing breast cancer.
- Applications to BCFNZ for counselling can be submitted by patients or health professionals on their behalf.
Applying for counselling
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ accepts applications from breast cancer specialists, nurses and GPs on behalf of patients or patients can apply themselves.
To refer a patient to counselling, complete the online application form (ensure you select health professional in the ‘completed by’ section), or direct your patients to this online form.
See the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ website for an overview of the application process.
Nationwide counselling service
Breast Cancer Foundation NZ may fund up to three sessions of individual counselling.
Counselling may be available to patients with breast cancer, whether their diagnosis is recent or historic. Patients undergoing prophylactic interventions for hereditary or genetic mutation-related breast cancer may also be eligible for funded counselling.
Counsellors are provided through nationwide counselling service Telus Health (was Stratos). Telus counsellors are qualified and provide their profile online, listing particular skills and interests. Counselling sessions can be completed face-to-face, over the phone or via Skype. Patients can take a support person to their sessions.
