BREAST CANCER POLICY
3– ACCESS TO CARE
With resources and expertise variable across health facilities – so impacting the achievement of standard levels of care for all breast cancer patients – the new policy calls for Regional Breast Units (RBUs) to be set up all at regional hospitals. In addition, the most appropriate facilities must be identified for the establishment of Specialist Breast Units (SBUs) to create a network of care that combats treatment delays, while ensuring the best use of available resources.
The SBUs are the third link in the referral pathway chain – after primary healthcare clinics and district hospitals, and before Provincial Oncology Units (PCUs) at tertiary hospitals. The POUs are where multidisciplinary teams meet to secure rapid bidirectional referral of patient information, which is critical to prevent inappropriate appointments or delays.
