AQW 4500/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 04/06/2020
Answered On Date: 02/07/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what action he has taken to restore cancer services.

Answer:

I can confirm Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts have been tasked with developing service rebuilding plans for all HSC services. Actions are also underway to ensure the rapid and safe stepping up of both diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients in clinically safe environments.

I am also acutely aware of the severe impact that COVID-19 has had on the totality of cancer services. That is why I have informed officials that the resumption of screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients in clinically safe environments is a high priority and should proceed as quickly as possible. Priority will be given to people at highest risk and to clearing any backlog of patients in the cancer pathway. I can assure you that every HSC Trust in Northern Ireland is developing plans and working hard to make that resumption a reality.

The Department’s “Rebuilding HSC Services Strategic Framework” was published on 9 June 2020, and is available at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/rebuilding-hsc-services

Rebuilding services gives us an opportunity to transform our system for the better and for the real benefit of cancer patients and all those who need our services.