Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
228. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health her current plans to improve prostate cancer treatment pathways to reflect international best practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35413/26]
View answerThe HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has updated national pathways and clinical guidance to align practice with current evidence and reduce variation in care. This includes the National Prostate Cancer GP Referral Guideline, which supports GPs in identifying men who should be referred to NCCP Rapid Access Prostate Clinics, with electronic referral through Healthlink and accredited GP systems.
In 2025 the HSE introduced updated National Clinical Guidelines for prostate cancer, including:
• Diagnosis and staging of patients with Prostate Cancer - January 2025
• Active surveillance for patients with prostate cancer - May 2025
• The Use of Focal Therapy in Patients with Prostate Cancer - April 2025.
In 2026, under the HSE National Service Plan, the NCCP is working to further develop and streamline the prostate cancer pathway from primary through to tertiary care with the objective of improving the time to diagnosis and treatment. Work is also under way to update two National Clinical Guidelines:
• Treatment of Patients with Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer
• Diagnosis and Staging of Patients with Prostate Cancer
All NCCP HSE National Clinical Guidelines are developed by integrating the best current evidence, clinical expertise and patient preferences and values.
Department Officials and I will continue to work with the HSE, the NCCP and designated cancer centres to ensure that prostate cancer services are delivered in line with international best practice
