Madam, – The release and coverage of the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) review of specialist breast cancer centres suggests a very positive impact by the national cancer control programme in Ireland. This review has measured several pre- set quality indicators predominantly reflecting access to cancer care. This means that the door is now open to cancer treatment; it does not measure outcome of cancer treatment, which is the obvious goal.
Our obsession with quality assurance has debauched what should be the real goal of best possible patient outcome.
In essence, the access to breast cancer care has improved in Ireland as a consequence of the work done by Prof Tom Keane, but all aspects of surgical, medical and radiation oncology care must be similarly supported to achieve the impact we strive for.
To achieve the national cancer model we expect, the resources and support given to administrative quality assurance must be surpassed by support for clinical front line care. If we can do this, cancer treatment will continue to improve, otherwise we will fail to support and measure the appropriate outcome in Irish breast cancer care. – Yours, etc,