Marking World Cancer Day, Minister Donnelly welcomes Sláintecare funded improvements to Oncology Service in Dublin
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 4 February 2022
- Last updated on: 9 February 2022
Today, marking World Cancer Day, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has welcomed a new Dublin-based service, funded by the Department of Health through Sláintecare, delivering better access to oncology services for cancer patients in their communities.
The CHO Dublin North City and County Community Intervention Team (CIT) Community Oncology project, in collaboration with the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH), enables patients receiving specific oncology treatments to be cared for closer to home in the community instead of an acute hospital setting.
Marking World Cancer Day, Minster Donnelly said:
“The theme of World Cancer Day this year is ‘Closing the gap in Cancer Care’ and this programme is just one example of how we are working to deliver that for patients in Ireland, by providing the right care in the right place at the right time.
“Providing patients with community-based care means their hospital visits are significantly reduced and further benefits all patients by increasing capacity in acute hospitals to care for those with more complex needs. It is an excellent example of Sláintecare in action, a fundamental component of which is to expand community-based care in order to provide care closer to home.”
Results from the service show that in 2021:
- 100% of Oncology patients surveyed report a decrease in waiting room time from greater than 1 hour to less than 10 minutes
- patient attendance at Hospital Day Oncology Unit was reduced by 341 for administration of treatments, with the additional benefit of freeing up acute hospital capacity
- patients had their hormone treatment administered while attending the clinic, reducing the need for GP visits
- all 65 patients referred to the CIT Oncology service opted to continue attending rather than have this treatment in a hospital setting
Deirdre Carroll, CIT Nursing Lead, North Dublin CIT Community Oncology Project said:
“From a patient perspective it offers choice on where patients would like their care delivered, spending less time in busy acute hospitals is hugely beneficial. Patients spend a lot less time in our clinic waiting rooms, appointments can be scheduled around commitments, there is no day case or car parking fees, patients can also have their blood tests and hormone treatment when they attend the clinic, and it is the same Senior Oncology Nurses treating the patient each time.”
Patient testimonials reveal the trust placed in this service by patients:
“The staff and the community clinic environment make me feel relaxed, I know the staff by name and they always seem up to speed with my treatment and are aware of any changes and I know they will report back to the Oncology Team any problems I have , they are easy to contact any day as always return your call if they are with a patient, it is an excellent service.
“It’s less stressful coming to a small clinic outside of the city centre, no parking issues or costs. It feels familiar, I meet the same staff who know all about me and my treatment.”
Due to the success of the project, it is now being fully integrated into care delivery of Oncology patients attending the MMUH Oncology service. CIT are working collaboratively with the hospital-based Oncology team to increase the number of patients that can access this community-based service.
For more information on World Cancer Day go to www.worldcancerday.org.