Cancer Screening Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Questions (1497, 1512, 1520, 1606, 1607, 1701, 1702, 1728, 1757, 1770)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1497. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter relating to the bowel cancer screening programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38155/12]

Pat Deering

Question:

1512. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if bowel cancer screening will commence before the end of 2012 as committed and if necessary funding and facilities are available to ensure its success. [37050/12]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1520. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the national bowel cancer screening programme will be sufficiently funded and available to all who need it by the end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37060/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

1606. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that adequate capacity is in place to facilitate the roll-out of the national cancer screening programme in 2012; that the bowel cancer screening programme is extended to people aged 55 to 74 years; that multi-annual funding is in place to support the programme by the end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37146/12]

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

1607. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that multi-annual, long-term funding is in place in order that the bowel cancer screening programme will be delivered to all who need it by the end of 2012; if he will ensure that the introduction of screening does not jeopardise endoscopy services for symptomatic patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37147/12]

Ciara Conway

Question:

1701. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise bowel cancer screening post-2012; if he will confirm that this screening programme will be extended to cover people in the 55 to 74 age group and if he will confirm a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38100/12]

Finian McGrath

Question:

1702. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support bowel cancer screening as a matter of priority. [38116/12]

Seán Fleming

Question:

1728. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the funding available in 2012 for the bowel cancer screening programme; if this is sufficient to meet the targets of the programme; if funding will continue to be available to ensure screening is available for all persons aged 55 to 74 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38279/12]

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

1757. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the numbers of persons who die annually from bowel related illnesses including cancer; his plans to introduce a national bowel cancer screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38458/12]

Paul Connaughton

Question:

1770. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to the introduction of the first phase of the bowel cancer screening programme; and if plans exist to make the screening available to all persons aged 55 to 74; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38625/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1497, 1512, 1520, 1606, 1607, 1701, 1702, 1728, 1757 and 1770 together.

Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each year, and it is cause of death in around 950 people each year. Colorectal screening works on two fronts: it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment, and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps. It is therefore imperative that the programme commences and continues on a sustainable basis.

Plans for the implementation of a national colorectal screening programme are at an advanced stage within the HSE-National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) and the programme will be introduced on a phased basis in quarter four 2012, as stated in the HSE Service Plan 2012. When fully implemented the programme will offer free screening to men and women aged 55-74 every two years. As 50% of cancers within this age group are found in people aged 60-69 the programme will begin with this age cohort (a population of approximately 500,000).

The screening programme is the first call/ recall screening programme in Ireland to be offered to men as well as women. Organised population-based call, re-call screening for colorectal cancer is complex and to ensure quality and safety it is imperative that it is introduced in a carefully managed and monitored way to ensure that risks to patients are minimised and best clinical outcomes are maximised. Over time the phasing of the programme will allow development of colonoscopy capacity to cater for the full 55-74 year old population.

The HSE-NCSS and the Special Delivery Unit in my Department have been working together to develop the appropriate capacity in colonoscopy services nationwide to support the introduction, sustainability and growth of the screening programme, while maintaining and enhancing the capability of the symptomatic endoscopy service. The focus is on improving quality and access at all publicly-funded screening colonoscopy units, not just for those referred for colonoscopy as part of the screening programme, but for all men and women who require a colonoscopy or any other diagnostic endoscopic procedure. This will be achieved by building sufficient capacity in endoscopy services nationwide to sustain the implementation of the national screening programme, while maintaining and enhancing the symptomatic service.

Fifteen candidate colonoscopy units have been identified around the country to support the screening programme and these must achieve accreditation in order to provide colonoscopy services on behalf of the programme.

An academic partner has been identified to provide an educational programme for clinical nurse specialists to train with the aim of becoming registered as Advanced Nurse Practitioners with An Bord Altranais. Interviews have been completed and a panel has been established. A Clinical Advisory Group has recently been established to support the ongoing development of the programme and to provide ongoing clinical advice to the HSE-NCSS.