Irish Cancer Society launch “Cancer Policy Comparator” for General Election
Parties’ commitments on access, cost and policy action welcome, but disappointment at inaction on Cabinet sub-committee on health inequalities
The Irish Cancer Society has today launched a Cancer Policy Comparator that allows members of the public to view all political parties’ commitments on cancer care in the one place.
“We warmly welcome commitments by political parties to address the issues of access, cost and policy action,” says Donal Buggy, Head of Services and Advocacy at the Irish Cancer Society. “However, we are disappointed that no party has committed to setting up a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Health Inequalities should they form part of the next Government.”
“A Cabinet Sub-Committee on Health Inequalities would mean that all Government Ministers and Departments work together to come up with solutions to reduce the health divide between the poorest and most affluent in society. Effectively addressing health inequalities requires a whole of Government approach.”
Mr. Buggy continued: “At this General Election, we want to help people make an informed choice, so we’ve examined each party’s manifesto and have put together an easy to understand Cancer Policy Comparator briefly explaining their intentions for health and cancer care.”
The Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Policy Comparator outlines each party’s plans for health and cancer care in the areas of access, cost and policy action.
According to the Irish Cancer Society, where you live can affect whether you live or die from cancer, with inequalities existing at every stage of the cancer journey.
Mr Buggy said: “People from disadvantaged areas have fewer GPs in their neighbourhood, wait longer to be diagnosed with cancer and are less likely to be able to cope with the cost of cancer. The next government has an opportunity to close this Cancer Gap and to take action to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to live a healthy life.”
Throughout the General Election campaign the Irish Cancer Society has been asking voters to use the three-step form on www.cancer.ie/cancer-gap to tell their election candidates to put cancer at the top of their agenda.
“Our general election goals – if put in place – will help close the Cancer Gap. So far the response from the public has been excellent with almost 250 emails sent to candidates.”
“Using the simple form on our website takes just three minutes, but it can have a profound impact on influencing cancer policy in the lifetime of the next government.”
To help reduce the Cancer Gap, The Irish Cancer Society is campaigning for change in three key areas:
1. Fair and equal access:
- Tackle waiting times for vital diagnostics for cancer
- Commit to introducing Universal Health Care
2. Reduce the cost of cancer:
- Ensure automatic entitlement to medical cards upon cancer diagnosis
- Abolish the prescription charge
- Reduce the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold to €85
3. Cancer Policy Action:
- Implement the new National Cancer Strategy that will make sure there is a strategy for cancer for the next ten years
- Maintain commitment to extend screening programmes
- Establish a Cabinet sub-committee on Health Inequalities
The Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Policy Comparator allows voters to compare each party’s plans for health and cancer care in one easy to read chart.
“One in three people will develop cancer in their lifetime,” says Mr Buggy. “The Society has put together this ‘at-a-glance’ explainer because we believe that the voices of cancer patients, their families and carers should be heard in this election.”
To view the Cancer Policy Comparator, to find out more about the Cancer Gap and to tell your general election candidates to put cancer at the top of their agenda, visit www.cancer.ie/cancer-gap.
Anyone who is concerned about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline on 1800 200 700 to speak to a cancer nurse who can offer information and support.
