I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 69 together.
There has been considerable development in the care and treatment of patients with cancer in the past 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 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 all patients have access to an equitable, effective service with a uniformly high quality of care wherever they live.
Since the strategy was launched, regional directors of cancer services were appointed in each health board area, with two co-regional directors of cancer services 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 the 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. On a national basis, some £41 million of dedicated funding has been allocated since 1997 for the development of cancer services. 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 year's 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 the North-Eastern Health Board area. At my request, a review of the symptomatic breast cancer services has been undertaken by the National Cancer Forum and I expect to receive the report of this group on the appropriate further development of this service when I attend the final meeting of the National Cancer Forum tomorrow. When I receive the report I will give it careful consideration and I propose to make funding available under the National Cancer Strategy to develop further symptomatic breast cancer services.
My Department is continuing to work with the National Cancer Forum and the regional direc tors of cancer services in identifying priorities for the further development of cancer services in all regions, building on the major progress made to date.