Mr. Jim Breslin:

I would say in general, and it is part of our cancer strategy, that there is much greater understanding now of the holistic issues that arise for somebody who has cancer. I refer to the psychosocial supports that are needed in that situation. It is core to the cancer strategy that we build not just a clinically excellent cancer service but one that is patient centred. The patient advocates who are working with us on the cancer strategy are very much to the fore in identifying issues. Through the work of the liaison officers and the interaction with the women, the 221+ group, we have now a very rich understanding of the range of issues that arise and we would look to try to address those.

The final point I would make is that, through the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, RCOG, process, we have identified that if a discordance arises, and it is in my opening statement, they would be eligible for the same package of supports. However, I would like to see us being able to say, across the entirety of our cancer services, and we have good models on different disease types where a wraparound support is put in place, that that is the standard of care and people can avail of that as part of a mainstream service. Mr. McCallion may wish to talk in more detail on it but our overall objective would be that we would move ahead on that basis.