Peadar Tóibín
Question:945. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason cancer treatment services will not resume in full until the end of 2021. [16651/21]
View answerWednesday, 31 March 2021
Questions (945)
Written answers
The National Action Plan on Covid-19 identified the continued provision of cancer care as a priority. Due to the ongoing need for physical distancing and related infection prevention and control measures, capacity across many cancer services has been reduced. However, cancer services are continuing to operate in line with guidance issued by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).
The principles underpinning cancer care delivery during the pandemic remain key to efforts to mitigate the impact on services:
- continuation of diagnostic services, particularly patients referred to Rapid Access Clinics;
- continuation of treatment, considering the risk: benefit ratio for each individual patient;
- prioritising time-sensitive treatment across the cancer pathway;
- reviewing the location of the delivery of cancer services to optimise patient safety and infection control;
- minimising any non-essential face to face patient contact, e.g. through the use of virtual assessment and triage where appropriate;
- optimising the potential for providing cancer services in private hospitals; and
- adherence to national guidance for all services as laid out by NCCP and the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer.
The total number of patients seen across all Rapid Access Clinics in 2020 (44,233) amounted to 88% of the 2019 figure (50,249). In regard to 2021, GP e-referrals to Rapid Access Clinics for weeks 2-10 this year stand at 112% of the activity in the corresponding weeks in 2020.
Medical Oncology services continue in all 26 hospitals and guidance has issued to clinicians regarding the provision of Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT). This includes details on treating cancer patients with Covid-19, or with potential Covid-19. The number of patients receiving chemotherapy up end 2020 was approximately 88% of 2019 levels.
Radiation oncology services in the public hospitals are currently operating at >90% of 2019 activity levels. Radiation oncology units are accommodated in buildings that are largely separate from other hospital services, which may reassure patients who are nervous about presenting to hospitals in the current climate.
Urgent surgical oncology is being prioritised and there is an emphasis on maintaining safe patient pathways for this. Private hospitals have been key to ensuring that time-sensitive surgery continues. Surgery numbers in public hospitals in 2020 were 76% of the 2019 levels (this does not include public case surgeries undertaken in private hospitals).
Funding of €12m has been allocated this year for the restoration of cancer services to 95% of 2019 (pre-Covid) levels. This funding will support hospitals in addressing backlogs, extending clinic times, providing additional clinics, increasing diagnostic capacity and providing locum/temporary support. It will also support virtual clinics and more accurate triage, and facilitate infrastructure and minor equipment purchases to increase capacity across Rapid Access Clinics and surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology services.
In addition, as part of Budget 2021, an extra €20m has been allocated for the continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy this year. This funding will facilitate developments across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient supports.