David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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283. To ask the Minister for Health the additional communications campaigns that will be rolled out regarding the signs and symptoms of cancers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17877/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Action Plan on COVID-19 identified the continued delivery of cancer care as a priority, through ensuring the delivery of national specialities and maintaining urgent activity.

The numbers of patients presenting to health services were significantly reduced in the late March - early May period. This trend was reflected in cancer services, with a lower number of GP referrals of cases of suspected cancer to Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinics and Rapid Access Lung and Prostate Clinics.

The National Cancer Control Programme, in collaboration with HSE Communications and with the support of various stakeholders, commissioned a communications campaign on cancer detection. The video involved, which detailed the signs and symptoms of cancer, aimed to assure the public that cancer diagnostic services remained open, and to encourage people to call their GP, or other health services, if they had any concerns. It was launched in early May and featured on social media. It was also disseminated through various cancer stakeholders.

A second video was targeted at ensuring that current cancer patients undergoing treatment continued to attend their appointments. The campaign aimed to reassure patients that, although some aspects of their treatment may have changed (location or frequency of attendance), they would continue to be treated safely in the context of Covid-19.

The most recent data shows that referrals for breast clinics are now similar to pre-Covid rates, while referrals for prostate and lung Rapid Access Clinics, as well as to other symptomatic cancer services, are increasing.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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284. To ask the Minister for Health the number of referrals for all cancers to acute hospitals for the first six months of 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17878/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the deputy's question relates to operational matters, I have referred it to the HSE for direct response.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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285. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to expand national psycho-oncology services to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17879/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 emphasises psycho-oncology services as a core part of complete cancer care and recommends the establishment of multi-disciplinary psycho-oncology teams in each designated cancer centre to deliver a comprehensive hospital-based clinical service.

A Clinical Lead for Psycho-Oncology was appointed in December 2018 and she is engaging with the designated centres with a view to establishing these teams.

Funding has been allocated this year to follow up on the outcomes of the National Survivorship Needs Assessment and to advance the development of psycho-oncology services.

Furthermore, a Together 4 Cancer Concern initiative was launched in April as a collaboration between the National Cancer Control Programme, the Irish Cancer Society and Cancer Care West. This initiative provides a range of support to cancer patients and their families during the Covid-19 period, ranging from a dedicated support phoneline to psychological assessment and intervention.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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286. To ask the Minister for Health the wait times for colonoscopies for the first six months of 2018, 2019 and 2020, by hospital, hospital group and by wait times up to 28 days and 28 days or more in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17880/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to pause most elective scheduled care activity with effect from the end March 2020. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines, and the National Action Plan.

To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, the HSE launched its Strategic Framework for ‘Service Continuity in a Covid Environment’ on 24 June. Its implementation will ensure service resumption is done in an integrated way. The Framework will also consolidate new ways of working and build on international knowledge.

“A Safe Return to Health Services – Restoring health and social services in a Covid environment”, published by the HSE on 22 July 2020, gives an overview of services to be resumed, the target times for their safe return, and some detail on the conditions and challenges that will have to be met.

As the system continues to deliver Covid-19 and non Covid-19 care side-by-side over a more prolonged period, my Department and the HSE will continue to work closely together to protect essential non Covid-19 acute care and progress the provision of more routine non Covid-19 care.

As regards the specific details you have asked for, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.