Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
826. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which cancer patients continue to receive appropriate treatment in time; the number on waiting lists for such treatment; his plans to meet their requirements in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24088/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) have advised that they do not collect data on waiting lists. However, they do collect Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that measure time to treatment for radiation and medical oncology.
It is important to note that 2020 data is indicative data that has not yet been fully verified, as such 2020 data may be subject to change once all data has been verified. Indicative data for the year-to-date shows a similar performance to full-year data for 2019:
|
Clinical Programme |
Key Performance Indicator |
2019 (FY) |
2020 (YTD) |
|
Radiation Oncology |
90% of patients completing radical radiation therapy commenced treatment within 15 working days of being deemed ready to treat |
85.30% |
87.40% |
|
Medical Oncology |
90% of patients receiving new systemic parenteral treatment in the day ward setting commenced treatment within 15 days working days of being deemed ready to treat |
89.80% |
90.40% |
All KPIs are based on internationally benchmarked clinical standards. Targets are set high enough that they are difficult for each cancer centre to achieve whilst also considering anticipated clinical volumes that may confound or delay treatment for more complex patients. Targets are therefore indicative of a high performing unit and missing a target is not necessarily an indication of sub-standard performance.
Data on surgical waiting times is more retrospective. Current data on surgical wait times across the surgical cancer centres indicates:
Breast (within 20 days)
- 2019 (full year): 76.3%
- 2020 (Q1): 75.6%
Lung (within 30 days)
- 2019 (full year): 55.3%
- 2020 (Q1 - only 1 of 4 hospitals returned data): 65.0%
Prostate (within 30 days)
- 2019 (full year): 32.7%
- 2020: data not yet due
Pancreas (within 20 days)
- 2019 (full year): 69.6%
- 2020: data not yet due
Plans for the resumption of cancer services are underway in my Department and the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme as part of the Winter Plan and in the context of the 2021 Estimates.
