People who cannot afford to pay privately for the investigation of possible cancer symptoms face longer waiting lists than those who can pay, research presented at the annual meeting of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) has shown.
The study, which aimed to identify barriers experienced by general practitioners to the early diagnosis of cancer, found that 70 per cent of public patients waited two to 12 weeks for a specialist test of the gastroentestinal tract (a barium X-ray) while 62 per cent of private patients were able to access the same investigation in less than two weeks.
The study of more than 950 GPs, carried out by Dr Claire Collins and Dr Helena Daly of the ICGP and the Irish Cancer Society, found "serious inequality" in both the access to, and the waiting times for, the investigation of patients suspected of having cancer. According to GPs, while 75 per cent of private patients were able to access an abdominal or pelvic ultrasound test in less than two weeks, 60 per cent of public patients had to wait two to 12 weeks for the same test. Overall, about 15 per cent of patients with urgent and acute symptoms requiring treatment waited two to eight weeks for further evaluation.
Among the barriers to the early detection of cancer identified by researchers was a lack of direct GP access to X-ray and endoscopy services.
Poor communication with hospital staff was also a significant problem.
Among the factors that would help in the earlier detection of cancer, GPs identified the need for agreed criteria for the screening of high-risk individuals, a ringfenced budget for community diagnostic services and increased public awareness of early cancer symptoms.
"The serious inequality in access to, and waiting times for, investigation and referral for those unable to pay privately should be brought to the attention of the Department of Health, Health Service Executive, health professionals, hospital management and the public.
"Inequity of access to public hospital services between public and private patients must be eliminated," the authors recommend.
Also recommended was the expansion of rapid access facilities for patients with suspected cancer to reduce waiting times for assessment.
"Communication between secondary and primary care should be improved to include agreed referral criteria for patients with suspected cancer, referral arrangements for urgent and non-urgent patients and the provision of complete and clear information to GPs regarding their patients diagnosis and cancer treatment plan," the report recommends.