I propose to take Questions Nos. 840, 841 and 845 together.
The Government is committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention and maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates and timely access to treatments. Women who have been referred to a breast disease clinic can understandably experience stress and anxiety and I am conscious of the burden that waiting times for assessment appointments places on patients and their families.
The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), in line with measures set down in the National Cancer Strategy, has several KPIs for Rapid Access Clinics, including breast cancer services. The KPI for urgent referrals to SBD clinics is that 95% of patients are seen within 10 working days. This year to date, over 25,500 patients triaged as urgent attended the SBD clinics nationally. 16,000 (63%) of these patients were seen within the 10 working days. Of those women waiting longer than 10 working days, 46% were seen within 20 days (target plus 10 days).
The KPI for non-urgent referrals is that 95% of patients are seen within 12 weeks. This year to date, 16,000 patients triaged as non-urgent attended an SBD clinic and 11,000 (68%) of these referrals were seen within the target timeframe. Of those women seen outside the 12 week target, 27% of them were seen within 14 weeks (target plus two weeks). Approximately 8% of women triaged as urgent and 1.5% of women triaged as non-urgent will receive a cancer diagnosis.
The SBD clinics consistently operate at full capacity and delays are most often caused by staff shortages or problems in accessing diagnostics or radiology services. Unfortunately, disruption to services can lead to a backlog which can take time to clear. Where a performance issue arises the HSE implements site-specific measures which can include funding additional clinics or providing locum cover where necessary.
The NCCP monitors KPI performance and works closely with Regional Executive Officers (REOs) to ensure the delivery of safe, effective cancer services in line with the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy. Looking ahead to 2026, under the devolved health budgets to the new Regions, REOs are being given greater autonomy to meet local needs while maintaining responsibility for meeting our KPI targets and national standards.840
