To ask the Minister of Health whether he will ensure closer follow up of cancer patients to mitigate previous delays for elective surgeries.

I can confirm that a number of actions have been taken to ensure closer follow up of cancer patients to mitigate previous delays for elective surgeries; these include:

a.the development of green (i.e. staff and patients segregated from COVID-19 environments) pathways for surgical patients; the creation of green sites where surgery or diagnostics can be maintained throughout the pandemic;

b.regional planning and co-ordination of surgical capacity to ensure equitable access across Northern Ireland;

c.ICU beds protected for complex surgery; and, use of facilities in the independent sector.

Efforts are continuing to maximise access to IS provision and waiting list initiative money is being made available to all Trusts to enable them to provide additional clinics/lists where staffing allows. The Day Procedure Unit at Lagan Valley Hospital has also increased capacity to deliver red flag diagnostic procedures on a regional basis.

However, even with these actions, the overall position remains challenging and continues to be kept under review by the Department and Health and Social Care Board and addressed by each Health Trust through their Winter Plans. All Trusts monitor the patients waiting for elective surgery and patients continue to be monitored and followed up by their clinical teams with respect to their individual cancer pathways.

Ultimately, a significant improvement in cancer services will require a step change in workforce, monitoring and investment as outlined in the Cancer Recovery Plan; Building Back Better, the Elective Care Framework: Restart, Recovery and Redesign and the new 10 year Cancer Strategy, which has just completed its consultation period and will be published in December 2021.