Dr Tracey Cooper, CEO, the Health Information and Quality Authority, speaking at the Society of Irish Breast Surgeons Meeting 

Saturday 9th February 2008 Speaking at the Society of Irish Breast Surgeons meeting in Dublin today, Dr Tracey Cooper, Chief Executive of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) explained that it is HIQA’s remit to drive continuous improvement in Ireland’s healthcare by means of setting minimum standards for quality and safety based on best practise within Ireland and internationally, and monitoring these. The quality and standards of Breast Cancer Services within Ireland are part of our remit in this regard.

Dr Cooper said, "At present there are approximately 2,500 new breast cancer cases in Ireland per year and breast cancer is the most common fatal cancer in women. The incidence of the disease is increasing. However, due to improvements in cancer care combined with improvements in technology and treatments, prospects for long term survival and cure as well as improved quality of life are increasing".

National and international evidence shows that patients with breast cancer have the best chance of survival if they are treated in centers with multi-disciplinary teams of healthcare professionals working in partnership and treating high numbers of patients.

In May 2007 the National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services were launched. The Standards are about improving the quality of care for women with breast disease in Ireland and addressing the current fragmentation of services nationally. These recommended that breast cancer services should only be delivered at specialist breast centres, in line with international best practise, thus improving patient outcomes. As part of the Government’s Cancer Control Strategy, this recommendation is currently being implemented on a phased basis. It is vital that we ensure the highest level of care is afforded to all patients during this period. Part of our role is to monitor compliance of these standards by the HSE.

Following the launch of these quality standards, we advised that we would be conducting a quality review of the implementation of these standards towards the end of 2008. This review has now been brought forward following a number of concerns being raised about symptomatic breast disease services.

HIQA will work closely with Professor Tom Keane and the Cancer Control Directorate of the HSE to ensure that this review supports the move towards the eight cancer centres and assures the safe transition of services in the remaining centres. The objectives of the review are:

• To assess current services against the standards with a view to highlighting key issues needing to be addressed in advance of the HSE plan of transition from multiple diagnostic centres to eight specialist centres,
• To review this transition process to ensure key risk areas are identified and managed as services change

The review will be divided into two stages:

1. Self assessment – following a short pilot phase, a self assessment tool will be developed and circulated to all participating centres for completion; a lead clinician and management lead for all centres will be identified in advance.
2. On-site assessment – at selected sites according to the findings of the self assessment. The main aim of this stage is to focus on patient experience, compliance with key standards and risk management arrangements.

The first phase of the review has already begun and HIQA would acknowledge the co-operation and willingness of hospitals in both the public and private sectors who are working with us in this regard. The review is aimed at identifying areas for improvement as well and strengths in the system. It also aims to focus on highlighting how risk factors affecting patient outcomes are identified and managed across the system.

As we move to the eight centres of excellence, it is important to emphasise and reassure all women and their families that their well-being and safety is our main priority and will continue to be so.”

Ends.

Further Information: 

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

01 8047651 / 086 2447623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie