Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)

From the Department's hospital productivity dashboard, we know that the specialty that has seen the largest increase in waiting times over the past three years has been breast surgery. From parliamentary questions we have asked, we are aware that for breast cancer patients for whom surgery is the first treatment there is a HSE commitment to treatment within 20 days. Over the past eight years there has been a sustained and dramatic drop in meeting that target. In 2017, just over 10% did not get timely treatment but that number is now at 40% of all the women. We want to hear from the Minister how she will account for these failings and what actions are being taken by the Department.

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