To ask the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to implement Project DELTA to improve oesophageal cancer diagnosis using Cytosponge in Northern Ireland.

Project DELTA has been developed by University of Cambridge. This study will improve oesophageal cancer diagnosis using Cytosponge, a new medical test that aims to improve early detection and surveillance of Barrett’s Oesophagus. Cytosponge is a less invasive methods to identify cell changes. In practice this means swallowing a pill on a string. The pill dissolves and turns into a sponge which is then pulled up with the string. This replaces the need for the person to undergo an endoscopy – which is both very unpleasant for the person and is time consuming for the health and social care system.

Identifying cell changes is important to ensure conditions such as Barrett’s do not progress to become oesophageal cancer. It is hence a welcomed new tool in the early detection management and prevention of cancer.

I am delighted to advise that all Northern Ireland Healthcare Trusts are in the process of enrolling in the DELTA study. Trusts are currently working through the study trial paperwork and are reviewing the relevant governance arrangements. It is hoped that up to 100 patients in each Trust will be enrolled in the Study throughout 2022.

This will also allow the wider spread use of Cytosponge whilst the longer term consideration for commission of such services are being considered. As of yet, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have not recommended the use of the Cytosponge-TFF3 test in any of their guidelines.

In addition the Northern Ireland Cancer Network are maintaining communication with both the clinicians involved and the DELTA team at Cambridge to ensure effective use of information and outcomes of the study can help inform future decision making.

I am in the process of considering the new Cancer Strategy. Going forward, new developments such as Cytosponge must be welcomed and we must strengthen even more our existing cultures in our cancer service to partake in clinical trials and develop new ways of working to improve patient outcomes.