Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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559. To ask the Minister for Health when the national lymphoedema clinical guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45888/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware that this clinical guideline has been developed and is supported by the HSE. As this relates to an operational matter, I am referring the question to the HSE for direct reply on the status of the clinical guideline.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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560. To ask the Minister for Health when the National Cancer Strategy Implementation Report 2021 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45889/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 Implementation Report 2021 is currently being finalised and it is intended that this Report will be published shortly.

The annual Implementation Report will detail progress made to end 2021, including:

- Introduction of provisions prohibiting alcohol advertising on a sports area during a sporting event or at events aimed at children;

- Launch of updated GP guidelines for referrals to symptomatic breast disease clinics, to increase the appropriateness of referrals;

- Increased patient attendances at Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) and adherence to national KPIs. This includes strong recovery from the impact of Covid-19, with new RAC attendances in 2021 at 102% of 2019 levels;

- 26 acute oncology nurses in place in the 26 SACT hospitals to assist with ED avoidance for cancer patients;

- CAR-T novel immunotherapy treatment available for the first time in Ireland for adults at St. James's Hospital;

- New radiation oncology facility in CUH fully operational, and construction continuing for the new Galway facility;

- Delivery of survivorship programmes including ‘Cancer Thriving and Surviving’ and ‘Life and Cancer – Enhancing Survivorship (LACES)’; and

- Development and dissemination of best practice guidelines for community cancer support centres.