Dr. Colm Henry:

On the issue of the rapid access clinics, the Senator is correct that "urgent" means within ten working days for urgent clinics. The conversion rate for women who attend these clinics to those who have cancer is approximately 8%. For lung cancer rapid access clinics, it is approximately 40% or 50%. The conversion rate has fallen in the past few years and there have been more urgent referrals. We have some concerns about the compliance with the ten days. What Senator Costello says is right. It is implicit if somebody has been referred to an urgent clinic that any tests needed to be done to see through to a diagnosis are performed urgently and not kicked out months. If Senator Costello has details on individual cases I will happily take them on.