Teenagers and young adults get their say in provision of cancer services

Health Minister Robin Swann has attended the NI Cancer Strategy teenagers and young adults stakeholder event.

The event is being held to discuss the terms of reference and define the scope of the review on the provision of cancer services for teenagers and young adults in Northern Ireland.

The NI Cancer Strategy was launched by the Health Minister in March 2022 and covers all aspects of cancer care and support and includes a number of actions that specifically address the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Opening the event, Minister Swann said: “It’s heart breaking to think that every year in Northern Ireland, around 60 children under 16 years of age and 80 teenagers and young adults aged 16–24 years are diagnosed with cancer.”

“Going forward that means we have to do things differently and a review of current service provision for teenagers and young adults is a vital component of changing and improving future service delivery.

Stakeholder attendance at the event included clinical experts in the area, young people with lived experience, cancer charity representatives, teenage and young adults and clinical nurse specialists.

Minister Swann continued: “My vision is to ensure that everyone, wherever they live in Northern Ireland, has equitable and timely access to the most effective, evidence-based referral, diagnosis, treatment, support and person-centred cancer care.”

Panel chair Dr Maria Cable and panel member Liz Watt will both be speaking at the event.

Dr Cable said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for those involved in delivering and receiving teenage/young adult cancer care in Northern Ireland to come together and inform the next steps that will shape the future of services aimed to improve the experiences, outcomes and care that are offered to young people and their families affected by this disease.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The cancer strategy can be found at A Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland 2022-2032 | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk)
2. Dr Maria Cable, is an Independent Nurse Educator & Researcher in Adolescent/Young Adult Cancer Care, Warwick, UK. Liz Watt, is the Teenage Cancer Trust/Managed Service Network Lead Nurse for Teenage & Young Adult cancers, Scotland.
3. Caption 1: Health Minister Robin Swann with (from left) Sean Nelis, Curtis Barrett and Finn Garbutt who were taking part in the Cancer Strategy engagement event.
4. Caption 2: Health Minister Robin Swann with (from left) Heather Monteverde, Professional Adviser, DOH; Liz Watt, Teenage Cancer Trust and Lead Nurse for Teenage and Young Adult Cancers, Scotland; and Dr Maria Cable, Independent Nurse Educator and Researcher in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Care, Warwick.
5. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
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