AQW 44063/11-15

Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson
Ulster Unionist Party
Upper Bann

Tabled Date: 23/03/2015
Answered On Date: 09/04/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether he plans to increase the number of specialist nurses who can assist patients and their families diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Answer:

My Department has no plans at present to increase the number of specialist nurses for pancreatic cancer. All patients with a confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer are discussed at the Health and Social Care Regional Hepato-Pancreatico-Bilary (HPB) Multidisciplinary Team meeting. The HPB clinical nurse specialist is a core member of that team. In addition all patients suitable for surgical intervention are assigned to the HPB Clinical Nurse Specialist.