Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme. – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Wednesday, 18 Nov 1998

Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.

Michael Finucane

Question:

78 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in the commencement of the national breast cancer screening programme; the steps, if any, being taken by him to resolve any difficulties that have arisen; and when the programme will commence. [22408/98]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

79 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the national screening programme for breast cancer; if earlier difficulties have been overcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23966/98]

Alan Shatter

Question:

151 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in the commencement of the national breast cancer screening programme; the steps, if any, being taken by him to resolve any difficulties that have arisen; and when the programme will commence. [23823/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 79, and 151 together.

The establishment of a national breast screening programme is a major undertaking which requires careful planning and organisation.

As Minister for Health and Children, I am very much aware of the unnecessary trauma and anguish that could be caused to women and their families as a result of mistakes in an organised screening programme. Therefore, it is critical that in planning such a programme, every effort is made to ensure that the programme meets with international quality assurance standards and best practice.

In March 1997, a major action plan was introduced to implement the proposals contained in the National Cancer Strategy. Included in the plan were proposals for the introduction of a phased basis of a national breast screening programme.

Phase 1 will cover the Eastern, North-Eastern and Midland Health Board areas and will target 120,000 women in the age cohort 50 to 64, which represents approximately 50 per cent of the national target population.

Following the launch of the Cancer Action Plan, a national steering committee, chaired by Dr. Sheelah Ryan, chief executive officer, Western Health Board, was established to guide the implementation of the national programme of screening for breast cancer. Since its establishment in April 1997, considerable progress has been made on a number of fronts. The principal developments in this regard are: (i) the passage of the Health (Provision of Information) Act 1997 which facilitated the development of a population register. A population register for the programme has now been compiled. It is currently being validated and fine-tuned and will be operational by the time screening commences; (ii) a decision by the breast screening steering committee on a model of delivery for Phase 1 of the programme in November 1997. It has been agreed that there will be two central units based at the Mater and St. Vincent's, where the screening, assessment and treatment of women will be carried out using a multi-disciplinary team approach involving the relevant clinical disciplines, including the screening radiologist. In addition, there will be two mobile units to bring the screening services to the women in the more remote rural areas within the three health boards in Phase 1. Each mobile unit will be linked with one of the central units. This should ensure uniformity of standards and continuity of care; (iii) the appointment of Dr. Jane Buttimer as project director for the programme in May 1998; (iv) the establishment of the pro-gramme as a legal entity in September 1998 to facilitate the appointment of consultant and support staff as well as for budgetary control and financial accountability reasons. To this end, the programme was recently established as a joint board under section 11 of the Health Act, 1970; (v) recent advertisements for dedicated consultant and support staff for the programme in the national press. The recruitment process is now under way and interviews will take place in November and December 1998; (vi) preparation of quality assurance guidelines by the national QA committee, which is a sub-committee of the national steering committee. The final report is expected this month.

A key determinant regarding the start up date for the programme will be the recruitment of the relevant consultant and support staff, advertisements for which were recently placed in the national press. Once the relevant staff are ready to take up their appointments we should be in a position to start the programme. I am committed to making the necessary resources available to the programme to facilitate the commencement of screening and I have approved funding to date of £2 million to cover the start up costs and minor capital equipment. In addition, in August 1998, I approved the following capital allocations: £1,035,000 towards the refurbishment of 36 Eccles Street — Mater Hospital — as a screening and assessment unit and also as headquarters of the programme; and £897,750 towards the construction of screening unit facilities at St. Vincent's Hospital.

I am sure the Deputies will agree that in the light of the foregoing, there has been substantial progress on all fronts towards the establishment of a top quality breast screening programme and I look forward to the commencement of this pro-gramme as soon as the key elements are in place.

Dáil Éireann debate - Wednesday, 18 Nov 1998