Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler, to the House. As always, it is good to see her. She always gives a very comprehensive response to Commencement matters or any other matter that might come before the House. I raise issues with BreastCheck, CervicalCheck and bowel screening. I am a former director of the National Treatment Purchase Fund - I do not know whether the Minister of State knew that - so I am very aware of the importance of waiting lists, how they are managed and the significance of screening for cancer. Early detection means better outcomes for people struggling with the terrible disease of cancer. There is also anxiety arising from having to wait for screening, which is not good for patients or anybody else. I accept that Covid-19 has had a significant impact on waiting lists and our health services. These three issues were covered in the Sunday newspapers yesterday, strangely enough, although I had tabled this Commencement matter a few days ago.

There are substantial waiting lists and backlogs for BreastCheck, CervicalCheck and bowel screening. The number of women who had a complete mammogram last year was just over 56,000, which was behind target by 128,730 patients. The number of women who had one or more cervical smear test in primary care cases was 143,000, behind target by 111,000 patients. As for bowel screening, there were 50,000 tests, yet this was behind target by 75,000. Bowel cancer that is detected early can be treated very successfully.

Doctors and patients have called for a strategy to tackle these backlogs in respect of cancer diagnosis and that is important.The National Screening Service also says it is under pressure in terms of capacity and wishes to come back on target in respect of the stated objectives regarding issues surrounding analysis and diagnostics. As the Minister of State is aware, there were over 5,600 GP referrals for cancer in March 2021 alone, compared with 2,234 in 2020 so the figure has gone from over 2,500 to over 5,500 in one year for one month. Alarm bells must be ringing in respect of these issues. Diagnostic services such as colonoscopies are critically important. We know colonoscopy is the most accurate test for cancer of the colon and rectum and is proven to detect disease early so that the disease is treatable and curable and people can get on with their lives. Diagnostics is really important.

I am conscious that the three biggest challenges for the Government are health, housing and jobs. The Government and all politicians on all sides of the Houses will be judged on how they perform. I believe that without one's health, one does not need a house or a job. Health is primary. It is at the top of the matrix in terms of how we can deliver for our people. I accept, understand and acknowledge the enormous pressures faced by the Government. I am not here to blame anybody. Like the Minister of State, I am here to get us back on track and I would like to hear what the Government has in mind in terms of getting these three critical cancer screening services back on track for the well-being of our people and our health service.