Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced new initiatives in response to unacceptable waiting times for breast cancer services in NI.
A new regional waiting list for breast cancer assessment is to be introduced in the coming months, enabling women from across NI to access the earliest appointment available to them across the province.
The Minister said:
“This will help address the disparities in waiting times between different Trust areas. It is not acceptable for women in one Trust area to have to wait significantly longer to be assessed than women in another Trust area.
“I have also asked for a wider review of breast cancer services to be undertaken at pace. Engagement with clinicians, people with lived experience of cancer and cancer charities will be a central part of this review and I am pleased that workshops on mapping a better future are taking place.”
The Minister continued:
“My overriding priority as Minister is to secure better outcomes for patients. The review of breast cancer services will include examining options for consolidating the number of locations where assessment and surgery are provided. At the same time, it will consider how aftercare and chemotherapy are provided, as these services should happen as close to home as possible.
“Patients are prepared to travel for specialist assessment and treatment, but want follow-up and continuing care to be closer to home. That’s exactly what I am aiming for.
“Change is happening in our health service and its pace will be accelerated. I look forward to launching a hospital reconfiguration framework very shortly. This document, which will be subject to public consultation, will aim to describe our hospital system and provide a strategic context for future decisions. We will also be welcoming back Professor Rafael Bengoa to NI, as we seek to reboot health reform.”