She was speaking after Professor Mark Lawlor from Queen’s University made the statement, adding we must ‘act quickly and decisively’ if we are to fix the crisis. Ms McAllister’s colleague, Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood, said urgent investment was required if outcomes were to be improved.
“The recent statistics are shocking and other stark reminder of the state of health services in Northern Ireland,” said North Belfast MLA Ms McAllister.
“Alliance has consistently lobbied the Department of Health for an updated cancer strategy, given the current one has sat for two years gathering dust. Crucially, it must also be implemented – I understand budgets are an issue but this is something we cannot afford to not do – late diagnosis and treatment ultimately lead to poorer outcomes for people, plus greater pressures on the system.
“World-class cancer services has always been a priority for Alliance, which has been shown with regular meetings with interest groups and individuals. That should be the case for every party, and I hope they will join with me in holding the Health Minister to account on this matter when he next appears in front of the Health Committee. We need more than just delivery of the cancer strategy, we desperately need preventative measures to address this inequality.”
“Earlier this year, Professor Lawlor gave evidence to a Westminster committee about the need for urgent investment in cancer research,” said Lagan Valley MP Ms Eastwood.
“The UK as a whole has de-invested in cancer research over the last 10 years. Given every other person is projected to get cancer in our lifetime, that is not good enough. We must urgently invest in research, clinical trials, and make addressing and eradicating cancer a priority.
“As soon as I became an MP, I took the first opportunity to raise this issue, tabling questions to the UK Health Minister, particularly around the importance of clinical trials and UK-wide enrolment to them. It is vital we use every tool at our disposal, including the All-Island Cancer Research Institute, to eradicate cancer and improve treatments and outcomes for patients.”
“The recent statistics are shocking and other stark reminder of the state of health services in Northern Ireland,” said North Belfast MLA Ms McAllister.
“Alliance has consistently lobbied the Department of Health for an updated cancer strategy, given the current one has sat for two years gathering dust. Crucially, it must also be implemented – I understand budgets are an issue but this is something we cannot afford to not do – late diagnosis and treatment ultimately lead to poorer outcomes for people, plus greater pressures on the system.
“World-class cancer services has always been a priority for Alliance, which has been shown with regular meetings with interest groups and individuals. That should be the case for every party, and I hope they will join with me in holding the Health Minister to account on this matter when he next appears in front of the Health Committee. We need more than just delivery of the cancer strategy, we desperately need preventative measures to address this inequality.”
“Earlier this year, Professor Lawlor gave evidence to a Westminster committee about the need for urgent investment in cancer research,” said Lagan Valley MP Ms Eastwood.
“The UK as a whole has de-invested in cancer research over the last 10 years. Given every other person is projected to get cancer in our lifetime, that is not good enough. We must urgently invest in research, clinical trials, and make addressing and eradicating cancer a priority.
“As soon as I became an MP, I took the first opportunity to raise this issue, tabling questions to the UK Health Minister, particularly around the importance of clinical trials and UK-wide enrolment to them. It is vital we use every tool at our disposal, including the All-Island Cancer Research Institute, to eradicate cancer and improve treatments and outcomes for patients.”