National Cancer Control Programme

Sir, – The National Cancer Control Programme, in collaboration with the Irish College of General Practitioners, has successfully developed and implemented an electronic referral system from primary care to the eight designated cancer centres for a number of common solid tumour types in order to facilitate faster diagnosis and treatment.

Therefore I was surprised to read Dr Seamus Clarke's letter (October 12th), describing the request from a hospital consultant that he should now make alternative arrangements for the treatment of a patient known to have a tumour and requiring surgical intervention. It would have been in the patient's interest for the consultant to arrange a direct transfer of care to a colleague in one of the other designated cancer centres who could have prioritised the patient's care appropriately and without delay.

The NCCP regrets that the care pathway became overly complex in this case and would like to apologise to Dr Clarke and his patient for any distress that resulted. – Yours, etc,

Dr JEROME COFFEY, MD

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Director,

National Cancer

Control Programme,

King’s Inn House,

200 Parnell Street,

Dublin 1.