Menu
10/05/2019
Progress For New Cancer Strategy Aimed At Meeting Growing Demand
The projected rise in cancer cases represents one of the biggest challenges facing Northern Ireland's health service, Chief Nursing Officer Charlotte McArdle has warned.
Professor McArdle will head up a new Department of Health steering group tasked with developing a new 10 year cancer strategy. It comes after Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly announced the plan's commissioning in March.
In the period between 2009 and 2013, there were 4347 male and 4175 female cases of cancer diagnosed each year in NI. By 2026, this is expected to rise by 43% for men and 40% for women, to approximately 6,200 and 6,000 cases per year respectively.
A meeting is to be held at Stormont today, Friday 10 May, to discuss the way forward with the input of charities, healthcare professionals, senior Health and Social Care managers and people who have lived through the experience of having cancer.
Ahead of the meeting, Professor McArdle commented: "The anticipated growth in the incidence of cancer is directly attributable to the fact that people are living longer.
"It is imperative that we act now to meet the challenge. A fully comprehensive new strategy for the period 2020 to 2030 will help us direct our skilled workforce and resources most effectively.
"It is very clear we will need to identify new ways of working. The development of a new strategy is very much part of the transformation agenda for health and social care."
According to Mr Pengelly, the appointment of the Chief Nursing Officer as chair of the steering group reflects the priority the Department has attached to this work.
He said: "In keeping with the principles of co-production, today's meeting is a first step in engaging with a wide range of people on the new strategy. This is a genuine partnership approach which seeks to bring people together to find shared solutions and the best outcomes for patients and their families.
"We have made great strides in tackling cancer over the last decade and I wish to see that progress continue. There is much more we need to do and a new strategy will help us to do that. It is intended that the strategy will be completed by June 2020."
The charity Cancer Focus NI will have an input in today's discussions. Chief Executive Roisin Foster said it is vitally important that all patients, carers, charities and health professionals advocate for their own views on how best to improve services and ensure the best outcome for patients.
"Undoubtedly there is a lot of work to be done but this new strategy is urgently needed," Ms Foster commented. "Research by the Cancer Registry NI indicates that the incidence of cancer will be over 60% by 2035, so we need to plan now on how to deal with this situation.
"We need our MLAs to carry forward and implement the necessary changes and we'd very much like to see them back at Stormont."
(JG/CM)
Professor McArdle will head up a new Department of Health steering group tasked with developing a new 10 year cancer strategy. It comes after Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly announced the plan's commissioning in March.
In the period between 2009 and 2013, there were 4347 male and 4175 female cases of cancer diagnosed each year in NI. By 2026, this is expected to rise by 43% for men and 40% for women, to approximately 6,200 and 6,000 cases per year respectively.
A meeting is to be held at Stormont today, Friday 10 May, to discuss the way forward with the input of charities, healthcare professionals, senior Health and Social Care managers and people who have lived through the experience of having cancer.
Ahead of the meeting, Professor McArdle commented: "The anticipated growth in the incidence of cancer is directly attributable to the fact that people are living longer.
"It is imperative that we act now to meet the challenge. A fully comprehensive new strategy for the period 2020 to 2030 will help us direct our skilled workforce and resources most effectively.
"It is very clear we will need to identify new ways of working. The development of a new strategy is very much part of the transformation agenda for health and social care."
According to Mr Pengelly, the appointment of the Chief Nursing Officer as chair of the steering group reflects the priority the Department has attached to this work.
He said: "In keeping with the principles of co-production, today's meeting is a first step in engaging with a wide range of people on the new strategy. This is a genuine partnership approach which seeks to bring people together to find shared solutions and the best outcomes for patients and their families.
"We have made great strides in tackling cancer over the last decade and I wish to see that progress continue. There is much more we need to do and a new strategy will help us to do that. It is intended that the strategy will be completed by June 2020."
The charity Cancer Focus NI will have an input in today's discussions. Chief Executive Roisin Foster said it is vitally important that all patients, carers, charities and health professionals advocate for their own views on how best to improve services and ensure the best outcome for patients.
"Undoubtedly there is a lot of work to be done but this new strategy is urgently needed," Ms Foster commented. "Research by the Cancer Registry NI indicates that the incidence of cancer will be over 60% by 2035, so we need to plan now on how to deal with this situation.
"We need our MLAs to carry forward and implement the necessary changes and we'd very much like to see them back at Stormont."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 March 2019
New Cancer Strategy For Northern Ireland
The Department of Health has announced plans to commission a new cancer strategy for Northern Ireland, a move welcomed by Cancer Focus NI. The central aim will be to identify new ways of securing advancements to cancer care by working with patients, staff and cancer charities.
New Cancer Strategy For Northern Ireland
The Department of Health has announced plans to commission a new cancer strategy for Northern Ireland, a move welcomed by Cancer Focus NI. The central aim will be to identify new ways of securing advancements to cancer care by working with patients, staff and cancer charities.
14 June 2023
Five New Cancer Support Centres To Be Established Across NI
Five new cancer support centres are to be established across Northern Ireland, Cancer Focus has announced as part of a five-year plan aligned with the Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy.
Five New Cancer Support Centres To Be Established Across NI
Five new cancer support centres are to be established across Northern Ireland, Cancer Focus has announced as part of a five-year plan aligned with the Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy.
22 May 2019
NI Cancer Patients May Rise By 60%
The number of new cancer patients in Northern Ireland could rocket by over 60% before 2035 if rigorous action is not taken now, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has warned.
NI Cancer Patients May Rise By 60%
The number of new cancer patients in Northern Ireland could rocket by over 60% before 2035 if rigorous action is not taken now, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has warned.
09 September 2011
Yellowhammer Portraits Are Framing Success
Two local cancer charities, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) and Friends of the Cancer Centre, have announced a unique fundraising initiative - the opportunity to buy a highly collectable piece of art by acclaimed Irish artist, Nicola Russell, while making a significant contribution to the work of both charities.
Yellowhammer Portraits Are Framing Success
Two local cancer charities, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) and Friends of the Cancer Centre, have announced a unique fundraising initiative - the opportunity to buy a highly collectable piece of art by acclaimed Irish artist, Nicola Russell, while making a significant contribution to the work of both charities.
07 November 2008
UCF Targets Cancer Awareness
The signs and symptoms of Northern Ireland's biggest cancer killer are being highlighted by a local charity this week with the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) using national 'Lung Cancer Awareness Month' as a springboard to target local people.
UCF Targets Cancer Awareness
The signs and symptoms of Northern Ireland's biggest cancer killer are being highlighted by a local charity this week with the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) using national 'Lung Cancer Awareness Month' as a springboard to target local people.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
