Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 April 2003

Cancer Treatment Services: Statements.

 

In another way delay in diagnosis is a problem which we and, particularly, the Minister of State and his Department have to address. There is a terrible delay in general practitioners getting appointments in hospitals with specialists in various disciplines. This is a very serious problem. Some hospitals, however, have managed to give priority slots, for example, in the case of symptomatic breast cancer. I think six Dublin hospitals now do this whereby every Thursday one has exactly what one would want. Patients are referred, seen during the preceding days and get immediate appointments. There are ten slots available. General practitioners are only to refer symptomatic cases and I gather are very good about doing this. The team meets on the Thursday and looks at mammograms, X-rays, blood test results, clinical reports and so forth. The surgeon, oncologist, radiotherapist and so forth then decide the best line of treatment for the person concerned. This is what we want. All round the country this will have to be tackled.

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