Vol. 481 No. 7
198 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the research, if any, which has been carried out on the need for counselling and advice for those who have had cancer operations; his views on whether this service would be desirable; if the matter has been considered by the health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17248/97]
Counselling and advice for people with cancer is provided by a variety of agencies, both public and voluntary. It is done by individual hospitals and at community level through such organisations as the Irish Cancer Society. I am conscious that the number and type of counselling services offered by different organisations vary greatly. The form of counselling may range from reassurance at the time of diagnosis, to basic information about managing an illness, through to working with patients and their families for some considerable period about all of the implications of their condition. I am also conscious that counselling is of equal relevance to people with other long-term illnesses.
Given the complexity of the area I wish to develop a framework for assessing the need for and value of the many types of counselling currently available. My Department will initiate a review of the role of counselling services for persons with cancer and other long-term conditions. It will then be possible to form a view on how best to support counselling services.
