Andrew Boylan
Question:16 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made regarding the national cancer strategy. [25527/01]
Written Answers. - National Cancer Strategy.
Over £60 million or 76.184 million in total has been allocated to date under the national cancer strategy since 1997. All of the commitments in the action plan of March 1997 have either been implemented or are in the course of implementation. The following is an outline of the main developments:–
Establishment of a national cancer forum to advise on the implementation of the national cancer strategy. The first forum met from March 1997 to April 2000. The second forum has been established and has held four meetings, with a fifth scheduled for 12 December 2001.
The appointment was made of regional directors of cancer services – one in each health board area, three in the ERHA – to oversee the development of cancer services in their areas and to prepare a regional cancer plan.
Approval was given for 58 additional consultant posts in key areas, such as medical oncology, haematology, histopathology and palliative care, together with support staff. A number of these have already taken up post, while others are at various stages of recruitment.
Phase one of BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme was launched in October 2000 covering the Eastern Regional Health Authority area and the North Eastern and Midland Health Boards. This programme is currently available to all women living in the phase one areas aged between 50 and 64 years. Up to 30 June 2001 BreastCheck had invited 43,283 women to attend for screening. BreastCheck is currently in consultation with the health boards regarding the roll out of the programme to the rest of the country.
The report entitled Development of Services for Symptomatic Breast Disease was published in March 2000. It contains recommendations for the establishment of a network of specialist breast units throughout the country. Funding totalling £4.35 million or 5.52 million has been provided in the current year to enable a number of health agencies to commence the development of centres of excellence for the care and treatment of symptomatic breast disease.
The national cervical screening programme was launched in October 2000 covering the Mid-
Western Health Board area. As with Breastcheck, the experience gained from phase one will facilitate the planning and organising of the roll out of this programme. Currently, the chief executive officers of the health boards are involved in an examination of the feasibility of extending the programme to the rest of the country.
The report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care was published on 4 October 2001. This report will form the foundation stone in the further development of palliative care services in Ireland.
The Health Research Board was allocated a grant of £80,000 or 101,579 per annum for each of the years 1997 to 2000 for the co-ordination of multi-disciplinary multi-institutional research, as indicated in the national cancer strategy.
Research projects are also being funded under a tripartite agreement between my Department, the Health Department in Northern Ireland and the National Cancer Institute in the USA. In addition, an All-Ireland Cancer Incidence and Mortality Report was launched on 1 May 2001.
I will continue to be advised by the national cancer forum in relation to the planning, development and co-ordination of cancer services for the country.