The Government has launched a plan on the administration of cancer services which could result in a radical shake-up in how the disease is treated across the country.
The plan, entitled 'A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland 2006' was prepared by the Government's advisory body on cancer care - the National Cancer Forum - and will be implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The strategy recommends a re-organisation of cancer care ranging from prevention and health promotion through to treatment services, palliative care and research.
Minister for Health, Mary Harney
Under the plan, Ireland will have a system of cancer control comparable to other EU15 countries by 2015.
It is hoped the strategy will reduce the incidence of cancer, morbidity and mortality rates through the creation of a single, integrated Cancer Control Programme.
The Programme will come under the control of the HSE and will restructure the way hospitals treat cancer by establishing four Managed Cancer Controlled Networks across the country.
Each network will consist of primary, hospital, supportive and palliative care.
Multi-disciplinary teams will be based at cancer centres within each network where the delivery of care will be planned.
Speaking at the launch of the strategy in Dublin today, Minister for Health, Mary Harney said it was essential to "create a single, focused, integrated cancer control programme in Ireland".
The Tánaiste cited the treatment of cancer in children in Ireland, which is centrally controlled from Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, as the only area where success rates compare favourably with EU15 countries.
The head of the HSE, Prof Brendan Drumm said the strategy was an "unprecedented opportunity for improvement on [the treatment of cancer in] the last 10 years".
He said the HSE would provide the necessary leadership, governance and integration "to create an essential framework for cancer control".
The Control Programme will be led by a Programme Director and will operate on a single national budget.
The Tánaiste said "to ensure that every patient gets the best quality care, we need to develop better ways of hospitals and health professionals working together based on connection and partnership rather than on isolation and self-sufficiency".
She also announced that breast screening will commence its national roll-out in 2007 and will extend to cover all women aged between 50 and 69 years of age. She added that an Irish Cervical Screening programme will be rolled out nationally by 2008.
