Investment to date under the national cancer strategy has enabled the funding of 80 additional consultant posts with support staff in key areas such as medical oncology, radiology, palliative care, histopathology and haematology. The benefit of this investment is reflected in the significant increase in activity which has occurred. For example, the number of new patients per annum receiving radiotherapy treatment increased from 2,402 in 1994 to 3,809 in 2000. This means that an additional 1,407 patients were accessing these services, representing an increase of 58% nationally. The number of new patients per annum receiving chemotherapy treatment increased from 2,693 in 1994 to 3,519 in 2000, representing an increase of 30% nationally.