Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2021
245. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the target to ensure that cancer referrals from a general practitioner into a hospital will be made electronically and each hospital group will facilitate the phasing-in of e-referral by the end of 2022 is still on track as is recommended in the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56391/21]
View answerThe electronic GP referral system is active in all Hospital Groups. In 2020, a total of 52,343 electronic cancer referrals were received.
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, e-referral and attendance data suggests that almost all GP referrals to symptomatic breast, lung and prostate cancer rapid access services are now being sent electronically. It is anticipated that the end 2022 target will be met for all cancer referrals.
