Dr. Michael McCarthy Calls Out Systemic Failures in Cancer Care
The 2025 Gathering Around Cancer brought together Ireland’s leading voices in oncology — clinicians, researchers, nurses, patient advocates, and industry — for a powerful exchange on the future of cancer care. But among the many presentations, one stood out with unmistakable clarity and courage: Dr. Michael McCarthy, medical oncologist from Galway, delivered a searing critique of Ireland’s cancer care delivery system.
Dr. McCarthy, has long been a voice for truth in the system, laid bare the structural dysfunctions that continue to undermine patient outcomes. His presentation tackled the reimbursement bottlenecks, capacity deficits, and policy inertia that have plagued cancer services for years.
- Drug Access Delays:
Ireland reimburses only 9% of EMA-approved cancer drugs within the 180-day target — compared to 89% in Denmark and 93% in the Netherlands. Patients here wait 2–3 years longer than their EU counterparts for access to life-saving treatments. - Broken Reimbursement Pathways:
The HSE’s reimbursement process is not malfunctioning — it is functioning as designed to defer, deter, and deny. - Ambulatory Care Crisis:
Ireland has just 3.8 ambulatory cancer chairs (Day ward chairs) per 100,000 population — far below the EU average of 8–12. With a 60–70% capacity deficit, patients face average waiting times of 6–10 weeks for treatment, directly impacting survival outcomes. - Systemic Non-Functionality:
The current reimbursement structure is not merely slow — it is non-functional by design. Dr. McCarthy called for a fit-for-purpose process that puts patients first, not bureaucratic delay.
Dr McCarthy’s call is clear, uncompromising, and deeply patient-centred. UCAN stands with him and asks other clinicians to add their voices. The time for polite requests has passed. The time for structural reform is now.