Chemotherapy cancellations
Deputy McDonald raised cancelled chemotherapy appointments, including many for children, and asked how the Government would ensure timely treatment. The Taoiseach said cancer-control plans are in place and stressed that appointments and treatment protocols must be followed.
Figures given to our health spokesperson, Deputy Cullinane, indicate there were 260 chemotherapy appointments cancelled in quarter 3 of this year. One hundred and sixty of these appointments were for children. What is the Government's plan to ensure these children and thousands more in need of appointments get the care they need when they need it?
Comment on this
There are a range of plans in place, particularly in terms of the cancer control programme and the role of cancer services. I am not sure as to the reason for those particular chemotherapy appointments being cancelled, but in terms of the overall cancer programme, it is extremely important that appointments be kept and that people get their treatments in the manner prescribed by the protocols around cancer treatment.