A new investigation shows the eight designated centres of excellence for breast cancer care in Ireland are all providing high quality and safe services.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) says while some improvements are needed to maintain the progress, all the hospitals are meeting the national standards.

However, HIQA is calling for more increased cooperation and collaboration between the centres.

In June 2007 – there were 33 locations providing treatment for the breast cancer – but by the end of last year that was reduced to 8 hospitals.

HIQA’s Director of Healthcare Quality and Safety – Jon Billings – says the centres are working well.

“We now have eight centres, they all have the right staff in place” he said.

“They’re monitoring quality, they’re undertaking the appropriate care through multi-disciplinary working, which we know is incredibly important”.

“So significant progress has been made – and all the centres are meeting the core requirements for quality and safety for patients” he added.