Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

All cancer experts would say one must distinguish between urgent and non-urgent, not only in this area but in regard to symptomatic breast disease. Professor Keane has worked with the College of General Practitioners on referral protocols for doctors.

Professor O'Donoghue has been appointed as the lead for the roll-out of the colorectal screening and he is probably well known to most people in this area. The breakdown between consultants, doctors and nurses involved has yet to be determined but we want to empower nurses as much as possible. In many other countries, this service is provided by advanced nurse practitioners.

In regard to the hospitals that will be selected, a group which advised in the UK will be part of the advisory team visiting the 28 hospitals which have expressed an interest. There is no question of the screening programme being done at the expense of the day-to-day service and that must be factored in.

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