Debate contribution: Cancer Patients: ED Referral Pathway

Debate contribution by Mrs Ciara Ferguson on 18 February 2025.

MLA: Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 18 February 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Cancer Patients: ED Referral Pathway
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4806372

Text

I thank the Minister for his answer. I have a number of constituents, including elderly individuals, who are terminally ill with cancer and are still being referred by their GP to the emergency department. I am aware of numerous cases, which I have forwarded to the Western Trust, of those individuals having to lie on chairs for up to five days before being treated. Do you agree that urgent action needs to be taken, particularly in respect of cancer patients, who have a suppressed immune system? They need to have priority status, and we need to look at other options so that they do not lie in A&E for what is sometimes days.

113 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 1572/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

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