Calls to expand ‘vital’ nurse-led helpline for cancer patients

Cancer survivor Mary Gardiner said the nurse helpline was 'a great comfort to me and for my family'. Picture: Domnick Walsh/Eye Focus

The Irish Cancer Society has backed calls to fund expansion of a nurse-led helpline for cancer patients to offer them advice at home and reduce their time in hospitals.

The Irish Examiner recently reported that this service, established during the pandemic, supported 32% of patients, who called the helpline during a single month, to manage their queries at home. Only 31% of those who called needed to go to hospital with the remainder given advice and a follow-up call.