Press release
Minister for Health announces €3 million in funding to Community Cancer Support Centres for 2024
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has today announced the allocation of €3 million in funding to the National Cancer Control Programme’s Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres through Budget 2024.
The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 highlights cancer support centres as a valuable support to cancer patients and their families outside of the acute care setting. These centres have an important role in the implementation of the Psycho-oncology Model of Care and survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.
Centres provide a range of services from diagnosis, through treatment, and for those finished active treatment. Services include information and advice about cancer, psychological and emotional support, lymphoedema treatment, and survivorship programmes to patients. These services, based in local communities, are provided for free to cancer patients.
Announcing details of the funding, Minister Donnelly said:
"I have allocated €3 million in funding to Community Cancer Support Centres for 2024. This is to support the continued provision of services in the community for cancer patients and their families across Ireland.
"One of the principal objectives of the National Cancer Strategy is to improve quality of life for cancer patients. As Minister for Health, I acknowledge the valuable work done by the staff and volunteers at cancer support centres throughout Ireland. We now have more than 200,000 people living in Ireland after a cancer diagnosis, so these services are crucial. Together, we can have a profound effect on the quality of life of many people who are living with a cancer diagnosis."
The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) established the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres in 2022. This initiative aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. These centres are voluntary and charity organisations delivering services directly to cancer patients and their families that emphasise the importance of quality of life during and after cancer treatment.
The NCCP Revised Best Practice Guidance for community cancer support centres was published in March 2022. The Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres was also established in 2022. The Alliance is a HSE initiative which aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. This programme promotes participation in capacity-building activities and communication and networking forums aimed at ensuring that community-based cancer support services are integrated.