New Cancer Strategy launch forgets the North West - Mac Lochlainn
Published: 16 June, 2006
Commenting on the newly published Cancer Control Strategy, Sinn Féin Cllr Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has criticised the "absence of detail" from the document prepared by the National Cancer Forum.
Cllr Mac Lochlainn said:
"While progress towards the implementation of long promised improvements in cancer care services is welcome, it is that very 'implementation' which remains a concern for all who have awaited the detail of the Forum's report. Key matters are not addressed - including, very importantly, the proposed location of the eight centres. What do they propose for the North West?
"The lack of provision comes at an extremely worrying time, particularly in the light of a new warning that the number of people suffering from potentially fatal cancer will double by 2020."
The National Cancer Registry issued the warning as a recent study showed the amount of people with forms of the disease will go up from 22,000 a year at present to around 42,000. The elderly are most at risk, while an increase in common forms like skin, lung or breast cancer will add to the huge incidence rate.
Cllr Mac Lochlainn continued:
"The absence of detail in the Cancer Control Strategy regarding funding of the proposals and a commencement date and timeframe for delivery of the package is worrisome. Any additional delay in spelling out the detail of the proposals will further undermine public confidence in the government's intent and commitment to the equitable delivery of cancer care services. The people of the North West appear once again to have been excluded from key decisions.
"The anticipated rise in forms of the disease will place a major additional burden on health services as the total number of new cancers is predicted to increase by 90%, from 22,019 to 41,743 between 1998-2002 and 2020, with a larger increase occurring in men 97% compared to 83% in women.
"Despite these findings we have the publication of yet another report that cites so-called 'international' best practice. Surely we can devise a system geared to the needs of our population and based on our own acute awareness of the deficiencies in our current system. To that end Sinn Féin recently published our new Health Policy for an Ireland of Equals and we intend remaining faithful to the incontrovertible arguments contained therein. Everyone is equally deserving of safe access to a properly structured hospital facility and should not be disadvantaged under any circumstances."
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