The National Cancer Strategy helped to deliver better outcomes for patients last year, according to the Minister for Health.
Minister Stephen Donnelly published the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 Implementation Report 2021 on December 2.
The Report sets out the progress achieved in the implementation of the Strategy’s recommendations for the improvement of cancer services and the delivery of better outcomes for patients in 2021.
Minister Donnelly welcomed the publication of the report, saying: “The continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is hugely important in ensuring that cancer patients in Ireland receive care at the highest standard. “Our approach in Ireland to cancer has shown a dedication to the transformation of our cancer services, with three successive cancer strategies in 1996, 2006 and 2017. A recent study by the Lancet has shown that cancer survival rates in Ireland for lung, pancreas, rectal, and oesophageal cancers have improved in recent years. This study highlighted the importance of continued evaluation of national policies and the link to improved survival rates for patients.”
In 2021, €20 million new development funding was allocated to improve cancer services under the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026.
This funding was used to drive improvements in cancer services and was coupled with €12m Covid-19 funding to help continue to provide critical services for patients during the pandemic.
“Additionally, in 2021, we commenced construction on a €56m radiation oncology centre in Galway. We also continued work with Radiology programmes to develop direct access for GPs to radiology diagnostics for patients nationally,” Minister Donnelly added.
Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide, National Director of the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme, said: “The main goals of the Strategy are to reduce the cancer burden, provide optimal care, maximise patient involvement and quality of life, and enable and assure change, and there has been significant progress in each of these areas since 2017.
“In 2021, new methods of delivery for treatments were made available and expanded on, including the introduction of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) and the repatriation of adult CAR-T cell therapy service to St. James’s Hospital, meaning patients can now receive this treatment in Ireland and remain closer to their home, families, and support networks.
“In 2021 we also expanded the work of the Irish Cancer Prevention Network, appointed acute oncology nurses in the 26 hospitals that provide systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), appointed the first dedicated oncologist for adolescent and young adult cancer, continued the implementation of the psycho-oncology model of care and expanded programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of people living with and after cancer,” Professor Ó Laoide said.