Asset Mapping the Cancer Pathways for Adolescent and Young Adults – all Ireland

An Asset map of cancer pathways for AYA is being developed to provide an overview of the current healthcare systems in both Northern Ireland (NI) and Republic of Ireland (ROI), based on framework for healthcare community asset mapping in literature (Turin et al., 2018). It aims to identify and document resources within a community, establishing areas where gaps exist.

The asset map will provide information on resources available for psychosocial support for AYA across the island of Ireland, which will include support services such as psycho-oncology or counselling support, peer-group support and education and employment support. The assets within this are based on Government/Statutory services, charity and voluntary support organisations and key individual stakeholders. It will aim to assess equitability, accessibility and disparities of resources available. This can be applied to cancer and other healthcare assets in NI/ROI and provide learning to those studying healthcare across the island of Ireland as to how to approach this work.

The asset map will be developed on Google my maps with interactive layers to provide a list of local and national resources across the island of Ireland that are available to AYA, their families and those working with AYA. This project is funded by the Children's Cancer Unit Charity.