Since 1997 there has been a cumulative additional investment in excess of €550 million in the development of appropriate treatment and care services for people with cancer, including breast cancer. This is reflected in a significant increase in activity, with breast cancer surgery increasing by 39% nationally. A total of 81 additional consultants have been approved during this period. Specialities include oncologists, histopathologists, radiologists, haematologists, palliative care, radiation oncologists and surgeons with a special interest in breast disease. This data, broken down by speciality, is set out on the following table.
|
Oncologist
|
Histo-pathologist
|
Radiologist
|
Haematolo- gist
|
Palliative Care
|
Radiation Oncologist
|
Surgeon SI Breast
|
Total
|
ERHA
|
5
|
5
|
6
|
0
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
26
|
MHB
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
6
|
MWHB
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
NEHB
|
*2
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
10
|
NWHB
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
SEHB
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
10
|
SHB
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
WHB
|
2
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
11
|
Total
|
15
|
19
|
12
|
9
|
8
|
3
|
14
|
81
|
*ERHA posts linked to the NEHB
In addition, 195 cancer nurse specialists have been appointed during the period 2000 to 2002, including nurses in breast care, palliative home care and oncology. A separate table by health board and speciality is set out below.