‘Never been as much investment’ in cancer services, says Donnelly, as after specialists call for more
Setting out various shortfalls, they point to insufficient investment in infrastructure despite rising cancer cases, and radiotherapy services operating “significantly below” capacity. The Fianna Fáil TD later added that the National Cancer Strategy was an important funding stream and like doctors, he wanted “more funding in there”.Mr Donnelly said it was important to recognise that “things are getting better for patients” and he would continue to strive to get urgent patients quick access to referral services.
“We need to make sure that our cancer healthcare professionals or oncologists have access to diagnostics at the weekends, have access to theatre at the weekends, have access to outpatient clinics at the weekends as well and that really is what the new public only consultant contract is about, moving from a scheduled nine to six Monday to Friday hospital service to seven days a week including mornings and evenings as well.