The Northern Ireland Cancer Charities Coalition (NICCC) gathered this week for its annual Cancer Summit, with Permanent Secretary for the Department of Health, Mike Farrar, and Minister of Health, Mike Nesbitt MLA, among those in attendance. Brain Tumour Research was proud to attend alongside colleagues from across the cancer community, to help shape priorities for the year ahead and to ensure the voice of brain tumour patients and their families is heard.
The Summit began with the election of the Coalition’s executive, setting the direction of the Coalition’s leadership for the coming year. Interim Chair, Richard Spratt, then presented the results of a member survey, which highlighted the biggest challenges facing cancer services in Northern Ireland – including funding pressures, workforce shortages, accessibility issues and unacceptable delays and waiting times.
Richard reiterated the Coalition’s purpose: to hold the Northern Ireland Executive to account and to bring about urgently needed change for people affected by cancer. He urged closer collaboration with the Department of Health, saying it was not only about providing answers but about “being inside the question together”.
Working groups during the Summit identified shared priorities for the next 12 months, while both Mike Farrar and Minister Nesbitt addressed members. Mike Farrar expressed optimism that, by working closely with the Minister, progress could be made on long-standing issues.
The Minister congratulated the Coalition on its continued work and reaffirmed his commitment to the Cancer Strategy, while acknowledging severe budget pressures. He welcomed the opening of two Rapid Diagnostic Centres (RDCs) at Whiteabbey Hospital in County Antrim and South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon – central to providing quicker diagnoses for patients with non-specific but concerning symptoms. He also highlighted the importance of improving standards in childhood and adolescent cancer care. Concluding, he stressed urgency: “If we wait for the moment absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin.”
Coalition representatives also held a discussion with the Minister on key issues, including:
- More meaningful engagement with charities, ensuring efficient use of resources and stronger planning and policy
- A proposed travel fund for patients and families to improve access to follow-up appointments, rehabilitation and clinical trials
- The importance of translational research, to move promising laboratory findings into clinical trials
- The need to address workforce challenges and retain cancer specialists
The discussions reaffirmed the Coalition’s role in championing the needs of patients, families and researchers. Brain Tumour Research will continue to work with colleagues to ensure improved outcomes for brain tumour patients in Northern Ireland.
You can learn more about our work in Northern Ireland here.
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