NCCP to appoint patient advocate to integrated cancer committee

The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has confirmed it will appoint a patient advocate to its integrated cancer care committee.

The issue was raised at the June meeting of the HSE’s planning and performance committee.

During the meeting, the HSE committee considered the membership of the NCCP’s integrated cancer care committee.

It queried whether there were plans for a patient advocate to be appointed given that the national cancer strategy states that “patient representatives are to be involved in policy making, planning, practice, and oversight of cancer services”.

The National Director of the NCCP, Prof Risteárd Ó Laoide, told the meeting the Programme had a history of patient involvement, which would be furthered through the strategy.

The NCCP “will be seeking a patient representative for this committee”, a HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent (MI). “The NCCP will engage patient participation through our HSE processes.”

At the committee meeting Prof Ó Laoide also spoke about the “ongoing diagnostics review” relating to cancer services, according to the minutes.

The first phase of the diagnostics review was scheduled to be completed in September and the committee requested to be updated on future progress.

A HSE spokesperson said the purpose of a national diagnostics review “is to support the development of a sustainable future model for diagnostic services for the health system and people of Ireland…”.

“The review will produce a national strategy, workforce plan, evaluation of potential for diagnostic hubs, and short-term quality initiatives to optimise current capacity. The timelines and progression of the review are dependent on the prioritisation and realignment of resources to progress the work.”