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For Oral Answer on : 02/05/2024
Question Number(s): 9 Question Reference(s): 19460/24
Department: Health
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Health if a governance structure exists in the HSE to oversee the provision of care for people genetically predisposed to cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The National Cancer Strategy provides recommendations concerning the monitoring, testing, and provision of comprehensive care to people who have an inherited predisposition to cancer, and the National Cancer Control Programme leads on the development of services for this potential patient cohort. The National Cancer Strategy has been supported with substantial additional funding since it was published, with €75 million allocated to national cancer treatment and screening services since 2017. This funding has supported cancer genetics services, counselling and risk reduction interventions for people with a predisposition to cancer.
The NCCP Hereditary Model of Care was published in August 2023, and is a plan for the further development of services for people with a predisposition to cancer. A Steering Group is in place which is chaired by the Director of the NCCP, and includes patient representatives. Under this model, specialised cancer services will work as part of national genetics services which are being supported by investment of €4.6m into the National Genetics and Genomics Strategy and 18 additional posts.
The NCCP’s ongoing work in implementing the National Cancer Strategy with strong policy oversight from my Department has led to improved survival rates for patients, and the new Hereditary Cancer Model of Care will help to ensure that more cancers are caught early or before they develop, leading to better patient outcomes.
