Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021
445. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if oncology blood services in the community will continue and if there are no plans to require patients to travel into hospitals in order to provide a blood sample; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3360/21]
View answerCancer patients require blood tests at various stages of their journey; during treatment, in follow up, as survivors and in palliative care. Currently these are provided through GP services, community services, hospital phlebotomy services and hospital oncology day ward services.
The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) advise that it is anticipated that these services will continue during the current wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
