Vol. 515 No. 2
34 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to provide additional cancer treatment services in the North Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5370/00]
There has been considerable developments in the care and treatment of patients with cancer over the last number of years. Since the launch of the national cancer strategy in November 1996, and the announcement of the action plan for the implementation of the strategy in March 1997 considerable improvements have taken place in this area.
The two underlying principles of the national cancer strategy are: to take all measures possible to reduce rates of illness and death from cancer, in line with the targets established in the health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future, and to ensure that those who develop cancer receive the most effective care and treatment and that their quality of life is enhanced to the greatest extent possible.
Underlying these objectives is the need for a high quality, patient-focused service. One of the specific objectives of the strategy is to ensure that all patients have access to an equitable, effective service with a uniformly high quality of care, wherever they live.
Since the strategy was launched, two co-regional directors of cancer services were appointed in the North Eastern Health Board area. The regional directors were asked to prepare plans for the development of cancer services in their area and these plans were then submitted to my Department. The national cancer forum and Professor James Fennelly, special adviser on cancer services to the Department, advised on appropriate developments in each area. The main areas of development included that of consultant appointments and in this context the North Eastern Health Board has had additional appointments made in medical oncology and histopathology. Dedicated funding for the development of cancer services has been allocated to the north east and since the launch of the strategy this has amounted to some £1.48 million. Funding is provided in this years allocation for the appointment of a consultant in palliative care.
The first phase of the national breast screening programme has commenced and this phase will include screening women from the North Eastern Health Board area. At my request, a review of the symptomatic breast cancer services is currently being undertaken by the national cancer forum and I expect to receive recommendations on the appropriate further development of this service in the near future. When I receive these recommendations, I will give them careful consideration and I propose to make funding available under the national cancer strategy to develop symptomatic breast cancer services further.
My Department is continuing to work with the national cancer forum and the regional directors of cancer services in identifying priorities for the further development of cancer services in all regions, building on the major progress made to date.
