Health Committee to discuss impact of Covid-19 on cancer services

Irish Cancer Society Chief Executive Officer Averil Power and Director of Advocacy Rachel Morrogh; Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) Consultant Committee Chair Dr. Clive Kilgallen and GP Committee Chair Dr. Denis McCauley; and Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) Secretary General Martin Varley will appear virtually before the Committee.

Committee Cathaoirleach Seán Crowe TD said: “As well as the terrible loss of life as a direct result of Covid-19, there is real fear and concern that the pandemic could result in an increase in cancer deaths in Ireland for up to a decade.

“Delays in accessing hospital diagnostics and treatment, due to a reduction in services, and a reluctance in patients with symptoms to seek help during the pandemic could all combine to lead to a backlog in late diagnoses. That is before the recent cyberattack on the HSE which is adding to wait times for some cancer patients in accessing help. The Committee welcomes this engagement with the Irish Cancer Society, IHCA and IMO to hear about the reality on the frontline for patients and cancer services and what needs to be done to reduce Covid’s impact on cancer survival rates.”

Watch the meeting from Committee Room 2 live