Online service to streamline cancer referral process

AN electronic online service funded by the Health Service Executive is to be used to streamline the cancer referral process between GPs and hospitals, Ireland’s cancer control chief said yesterday.

The Healthlink Online system was established in 2003 and about 70% of GPs are using it to share information about patients with hospitals.

Prof Tom Keane, who heads the HSE’s National Control Programme, said the system would end the unnecessary delay caused by having to move patients’ paper records. In particular, the system allows GPs to provide more relevant information enabling the cancer teams to make a more informed decision.