Precision radiotherapy cannot be delivered at Derry’s Cancer Centre despite presence of equipment because staff would cost £284,000

Transcript

00:00for the treatment of people with cancer. Previously I wrote to the minister in

00:05respect of provision for the use of cold caps for treatment for cancer

00:08patients to support those who are chemotherapy and just alopecia. The

00:13response indicated that due to system pressures this is not being routinely

00:18commissioned nor prioritized for introduction despite the fact that it's

00:21available across the 26 counties and GB. Additionally when I query projected

00:26annual staffing costs and a timeline for the delivery of stair tactic ablative

00:31radiotherapy which is precision targeting form of therapy for the

00:37Northwest Cancer Center they do have the equipment. I was advised that given

00:41annual staffing costs could be in the region of 284,000 to recruit therapeutic

00:46radiographers and medical physicians to support the service. A lack of

00:50identified funding means no timeline for introduction can be provided. I wanted to

00:55raise this issue today as if it's several local people contact me in respect of

00:59the issue of income-based health inequalities voicing serious

01:03frustrations at a very difficult time in their life at how only those who can

01:08afford to go privately have other options in relation available to them in

01:13relation to cancer treatments. While I fully appreciate the need for sustained

01:17investment in primary and community care and in various specialized services I

01:22have to speak up as an MLA for FOIL and as vice chair of the all party group and

01:25cancer for my constituents across Derry City in the Northwest who face

01:30significant health and social inequalities I want to ask the minister and his

01:34department to explore ways particularly in the context of the Northwest to

01:39strengthen cross-border collaboration on health care to be more innovative and to

01:44work closer on the treatment of cancers and deliver better experiences for

01:49patients across our small island. This would include in the context of supporting the

01:54All-Ireland Cancer Network and the development of improved cancer policy and

01:58research alongside meeting the existing need for additional services such as

02:03those previously outlined which have so far have been refused. I urge the minister to

02:09reconsider whether these services can be implemented to support the delivery of the

02:13key principle of universal health coverage for our citizens to have access to the full range of

02:18services where and when they need them.