Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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149. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 21 September 2017, the reason for the poor performances for persons categorised as urgent being triaged within two weeks in breast health clinics (details supplied); the steps he is taking to ensure that they meet the national target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43192/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The eight Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinics, plus the satellite service which operates in Letterkenny University Hospital, provide high quality diagnostic services to patients with symptoms indicating possible breast cancer. The national target for Symptomatic Breast Disease clinics is that 95% of all urgent referrals are offered an appointment within 10 working days of the date of receipt of a referral letter. While many hospitals are meeting the national urgent breast target, there are a number of reasons why hospitals may miss the target on a monthly basis, including capacity issues, recruitment issues and access to necessary support services.

A review of Cancer Rapid Access Clinics and Symptomatic Breast Disease clinics across all cancer centres has been undertaken by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme. A Rapid Access Clinics Improvement Plan was prepared following this review. The plan identifies 26 recommendations to be implemented across the 24 Rapid Access and Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinics, with the aim of improving performance against the national targets.

Implementation of the recommendations is underway. The National Cancer Control Programme will continue to work closely with the broader HSE, the Hospital Groups, the individual hospitals and the clinical teams in this regard. Performance of the three breast cancer services to which the Deputy refers will be addressed as part of this process.