Each year the Minister for Health, DHSSPSNI, outlines priorities for the Health and Social Care of the people of Northern Ireland in the document Priorities for Action.  

There are currently 7 targets that relate to cancer. 

1.  Timely access to treatment:  By March 2009, at least 98% of patients diagnosed with cancer should begin treatment within 31 days of the decision to treat; by March 2009 at least 95% of patients urgently referred with a suspected cancer should begin their first definitive treatment within 62 days.

To find out what the Northern Ireland Cancer Network is doing to support timely access to cancer services click here. 

2. Two-week wait for urgent breast referrals: Trusts should ensure that, from April 2009, all urgent GP referrals for breast cancer are seen within 14 days of the receipt of the referral, with all urgent breast cancer referrals –from both GPs and other practitioners – being seen within 14 days by March 2009.

3.  HPV immunisation:  By September 2008, ensure that a comprehensive HPV immunisation programme is in place, with a view to achieving a long term reduction of 70% in incidence of cervical cancer.  

To find out more about HPV immunisation click here.

4.  Bowel screening:  By December 2009, ensure that a comprehensive bowel screening programme for those aged 60-69 is in place, with a view to achieving a 10% reduction in mortality from bowel cancer by 2011. 

To find out more about the implementation of bowel screening click here.

5.  Breast screening:  By March 2009, extend the regional breast cancer screening programme to cover those aged 65-70. 

To find out more about breast screening click here.

6.  Radiotherapy services:  By March 2011, radiotherapy capacity for an additional 600 patients per annum should be available.

7.  Palliative care:  By March 2011, Trusts should establish multi-disciplinary palliative care teams and supporting service improvement programmes to provide appropriate palliative care in the community to adult patients requiring such services.