Tom Clonan (Independent)

I thank the witnesses for all of the progress that has been made generally in terms of cancer treatment. I have a number of concerns. I am of the view that there could be a fairly easy fix for one of them. We have the lowest rate of availability for newly licensed cancer medicines within Europe. On average, the delay in this regard is up to two years. I will address my questions to Mr. McCallion. It seems that there is a blockage. I rather suspect that I know who or what is causing that blockage. It is unacceptable to have delays in the context of the overall progress and the positive work being done, which I really appreciate. What is the HSE going to do about that? How does it intend to resolve the blockage?

My next questions are more general. The HSE has a lot of challenges around equipment and workforce in the context of bringing about positive outcomes. Some of this relates to retention and recruitment, particularly retention of clinical specialists like radiologists and radiation therapists.

My next question is for Mr. Canavan. Bullying is a major problem within the HSE. Some 30% of clinicians reported being bullied by colleagues or managers. That is according to the HSE survey that was undertaken in 2017. In 2023, there were 85 separate ongoing investigations into bullying and harassment within the workplace. There are live and ongoing cases relating to bullying in respect of which there seems to be no urgency or desire to find resolutions in a timely fashion. Can Mr. Canavan indicate how he deals with instances of bullying? We are both aware of specific cases of bullying which are quite extraordinary, and I have had correspondence with him. How does he intend to deal with bullying and stamp it out in the context of recruitment and, in particular, retention? When I say urgency, what timeline does he envisage for resolving these issues?