County Derry man campaigning for improved cancer care

A County Derry man who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) in 2017 has joined a campaign to boost the number of cancer nurse specialists in Northern Ireland.

Gabhán McFalone, from Maghera, has continued to campaign and work with Macmillan Cancer Support after undergoing a stem cell transplant in 2018 to treat the AML.

He is a member of the organisation's Cancer Experience Panel and last week attended an event held at Stormont to highlight their campaign ahead of the upcoming Assembly Election in May.

“Macmillan are doing a drive at the minute pushing for critical nurse, or cancer nurse specialists,” he told the County Derry Post.

“They are looking another one hundred cancer nurse specialists here in the North by 2030 to deal with demand from the high rise in people that are being diagnosed with cancer at the minute.

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"That would hopefully help alleviate some of the pressures around that. In 2015, there was a big drive and funding [was] allocated in 2016.”

“They'll guide you along and keep an eye on your treatments. Any support your family need as well, they're there on hand to keep in the loop with what's going on.

“They also deal with the after parts of treatment, where things don't work out for people. They will allocate palliative care, so that's the type of help that they provide.

In St James Hospital, Dublin getting ready for Bone Marrow Transplant. Few tough months ahead but we will #beatAML #fightAML @AnthonyNolan pic.twitter.com/D6svYfWvi0

— Gabhán McFalone (@GabhanMcFalone) October 28, 2017

“I had my stem cell transplant in Dublin in October 2017 and had to liaise with the cancer nurse specialist in Dublin, so you can see how it branches out too.

“They would cover the likes of dealing with other experts in Dublin as well, so it makes that journey a lot smoother.”

Funding is proving a stumbling block. The delay to the Assembly's three-year budget following the collapse of the Executive is causing issues.

“Funding is vital. The Cancer Strategy is coming out shortly, and it's been updated since the last one around 2008,” said Gabhán.

“Macmillan were the first organisation to promote and employ cancer nurse specialists in the 70s, and the funding is a big thing for it.

“Macmillan would have been happy with the three-year budget, but unfortunately with the DUP not in at the minute, we can't get the budget over the line.

“A one-year budget is grand, but you need a three-year budget plan to work with, especially for health.”

The funding request for extra cancer nurse specialists is among a number of items on a Macmillan wishlist for the next Assembly mandate.

Others include a transformation of palliative care, a commitment from the Health Minister to publish an annual progress report and enhanced emotional and wellbeing support for those with cancer.

You can find out more about Macmillan's manifesto asks for candidates in the upcoming Assembly election by visiting www.macmillan.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns. 

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