Colm Brophy
Ceist:531. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Health the full year cost of ensuring the full implementation of the model of care for psycho-oncology services for patients aged 0-24 years. [45924/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 7 November 2024
Ceisteanna (531)
Freagraí scríofa
In line with Recommendation 12 of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026, the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) developed and launched the National Model of Care for Psycho-Oncology Services for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults (CAYA) with Cancer. This model of care focuses on supporting children and young adults, as well as their families, with the psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis and provides for patient pathways to accessing appropriate care at all stages of their cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Implementation of the model of care is ongoing. Funding allocated for the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy in 2022 included €1.5 million for psycho-oncology and CAYA services more generally, enabling the recruitment of an additional 15 staff to these services.
The NCCP is progressing a comprehensive assessment of current resources in the CAYA network. This assessment will ascertain the additional dedicated staff required across disciplines including psychology, neuropsychology, social work, nursing, play and music therapy, occupational therapy, and psychiatry.
In Budget 2025, €23 million has been secured for the National Cancer Strategy, including access to new cancer medicines, expansion of cancer screening, funding for community cancer support centres, and implementation of the National Cancer Strategy. This will mean over €105 million has been invested into the Strategy since 2017.
Funding to date has enabled the recruitment of more than 670 staff to our national cancer services since 2017, including an additional 200 nursing staff, 100 consultants, and 180 health and social care professionals in designated cancer centres. Investment in 2025 will provide an additional 179 staff for national cancer screening and treatment services. This includes funding for CAYA services and will support the continued implementation of the CAYA Psycho-oncology Model of Care and the National Cancer Control Programme’s (NCCP) A Framework for the care and Support of Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) with cancer in Ireland 2021 to 2026. Under this Framework, three AYA cancer hubs have been established, based at St James’s Hospital, University Hospital Galway, and Cork University Hospital.
These initiatives under the National Cancer Strategy allow us to address the specific needs of children and young adults with cancer and we will continue to improve the services available to them.