Carla Lockhart said:
“It is a sad reality that most families across Northern Ireland have either lost a loved one to cancer, or have won a battle against this awful disease. Many families today are facing uncertainty with a loved one living with cancer.
While the care and expertise of our cancer care medical professionals is truly world class, it is important that the Department provides the strategic framework and the resources to both stem the increasing prevalence of cancer in our community, but also to ensure those requiring diagnosis and treatment get the best chance of surviving cancer.
The consultation issued today allows the public to have their say on the future of cancer care. This is an important step. Further to this we need to then see adequate financial resource directed to this area of healthcare. As we know cancer rates are expected to rise significantly, and only by ramping up services and improving our delivery model can the best outcomes for our people be achieved.”