Have your say-The Department of Health is reviewing Breast Cancer Services in Northern Ireland

Overview

Breast Cancer Services in Northern Ireland have been under significant pressure for some time.

To address this the Department has initiated a programme of work, ‘Reshaping Breast Services in Northern Ireland’.

This programme has already established a single, regional booking system for patients who a GP suspects may have cancer.

It will go on to review the whole breast cancer pathway to identify key areas which could benefit from intervention/changes to provide a more equitable and sustainable service.

All aspects of breast services in Northern Ireland will be included in this review. This will include (but not be limited to) assessment, surgery, treatment, aftercare, workforce and infrastructure.

The Breast Services Forum will play a key role in ensuring that future services are developed in conjunction with those who use them.

This forum will provide valuable input on the personal experiences and views of people who have had experience of breast cancer services in Northern Ireland.

Feedback from the forum will be reported to the Project Board overseeing this work and will help shape the future of breast services.

Throughout the course of the review, we may establish additional working groups to focus on key areas of the review. Each of these groups will need service user involvement and we may ask members of the Breast Services Forum to represent service users on these groups. 

This approach ensures that the views of people who have lived experience of breast services in Northern Ireland help inform decision making.

Member specification

We want to hear from a broad range of people from all backgrounds across NI who have had experience of breast cancer services in Northern Ireland within the last 3 years.

This is not limited to people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. People who have experience of both cancer, and non-cancer breast pathways are invited to apply

This includes (but is not restricted to) experience of the following services: 

• People who have undergone a Breast Assessment and have not been diagnosed with breast cancer
• People who have undergone a breast assessment and have breast cancer
• People with metastatic breast cancer
• People who have undergone an assessment intended to lead to referral for revisional breast surgery or reconstructive breast surgery
• People who are attending a family history clinic

Skills and experience

We are looking for people who can:

• Bring their views and perspectives as people with experience of breast services and breast cancer treatment or as a carer of someone who has received treatment.
• Participate and contribute to discussions which are beyond their own personal and local experience.
• Work respectfully and collaboratively in partnership with others as part of a group, respecting their views and opinions in open and honest discussion.
• Bring constructive and positive engagement and challenge.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in respect of all discussions and information provided to you while working as a member of the user forum.
• Have access to means of electronic communications to attend virtual meetings and respond by email.
• Show an interest in improving healthcare

If you are asked to represent service users on additional working groups, we ask that you can:

• Read and absorb a range of information which may at times be complex (you will be supported in this as required)
• Attend, prepare for and participate in meetings - with support if needed.
• Demonstrate a positive and solution/task focused outlook and an ability to be objective.

Benefits to you

• Working on regional improvements to care that matter to people, helping to shape and improve services.
• Finding out more about how improvements in health care are made, influencing experts and those who make decisions about breast services.
• Sharing your experience to improve breast services and wider support services following a breast cancer diagnosis.
• Opportunities to meet with and hear the views of other people who have had experience of breast cancer services
• Developing your communication and planning skills.

To assist you in the role we will:

• Provide a full induction to the project taking time to answer your questions.
• Provide a direct point of contact within the Department.
• Provide you with ongoing support and adjustments as required during the process, including with accessibility needs.
• Provide you with reasonable training as appropriate to support your contribution throughout the process.
• Reimburse reasonable expenses directly related to the work of the Breast Service review.
• Ensure all relevant information and papers for the meetings are provided in a suitable format and are distributed at least one week in advance. We will print hard copies of papers as required.

Time commitment

The Breast Services Forum will meet quarterly for up to two hours each time. Where possible, these meetings will be in person in Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast or an alternative suitable venue. However, it will also be possible to join virtually where required.

Members may be asked to represent service users at other meetings relating to aspects of the review. The nature of such meetings and time commitment will be agreed in advance.

It is expected that members will commit some time to prepare for and review papers relevant to each meeting. Papers will be provided in a suitable format for all members.

Application process

Applications are invited from residents of Northern Ireland aged 18 or over who meet the above criteria

An online application form is available here: https://forms.office.com/e/bpgXJM8af1

If you require a copy of the application form in an alternative format or need assistance to complete the form, please email the Cancer Projects Team at cancerstrategy@health-ni.gov.uk or call us on 02890522924.

Applications should be submitted by 10pm Sunday 28 September 2025

Applications will be considered by a Panel comprising the Department of Health, and Breast Cancer Now, a UK-wide breast cancer charity. Short-listed applicants will then be invited to discuss the role further with members of the Panel where there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Successful applicants will be informed by early October 2025 and the first in person meeting of the group will take place in mid-October 2025.

Additional opportunities

In addition to membership of the Breast Services Forum there will be additional opportunities to have your views heard throughout the process, through various working groups focusing on key areas of the review.

If you are interested in being further involved in a particular area of the review, please indicate this on the application form.

Documents

• Link to application form: https://forms.office.com/e/bpgXJM8af1

FAQ’s

What do we mean by Breast Assessment?

Breast assessment services provide a ‘one stop’ outpatient clinic appointment for people referred with either:

• breast symptoms which may or may not be suggestive of cancer (symptomatic referrals); or

• requiring follow up of a breast screening mammography test (screening referrals).

It is estimated that 4 in every 100 women who have screening will require referral for further assessment.

Those attending a breast assessment clinic can undergo a ‘triple assessment’, including a breast examination, radiological investigations (mammogram or ultrasound), and a biopsy test to confirm the diagnosis.

Not everyone will require all tests and the majority of those attending will require one or two appointments at the clinic.

What do we mean by Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage IV breast cancer, is breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body. Metastasis happens when cancer cells break away from the original tumour in the breast and travel to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system.

Advancements in treatment allow many people to live long, productive lives with stage IV breast cancer.