Ar an gcéad dul síos, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this important matter. I refer to the transfer of the breast cancer treatment unit from South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital to Cork University Hospital. The Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, is aware that South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital is an absolute centre of excellence. The impending loss of the cancer treatment unit from the hospital is unacceptable, especially in so far as it will affect women with breast cancer. It would be a mistake to transfer the breast cancer unit from South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital to Cork University Hospital.
It is proposed to amend the national cancer strategy to allow hospitals in Dublin to maintain their existing cancer services. The hospitals in question will work together to deliver the best possible patient-centred care. I suggest forcibly that Cork should receive the same type of provision. Cork should be no different from Dublin. We are supposed to be building synergies, creating centres of excellence and putting patients first. It has been decided to proceed with two centres of excellence in Dublin, at the Mater Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital. The hospitals will operate as a single combined centre, sharing their resources and experience, in the interests of delivering the best possible breast cancer care service to women. The same approach should apply to cancer services in Cork, without exception.
We all remember the great announcements which were made by the Minister, Deputy Harney. She promulgated from the four corners of Ireland that BreastCheck was in Cork. We all welcomed the investment that was made in BreastCheck in Cork. Money was invested in facilities to create a centre of excellence. I invite the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, to visit South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital, if he has not already been there. The staff of the hospital are wonderful. It is clear from the hospital's detection rates that they provide excellent care. Some 210 cancers are detected at the hospital every year. That figure is growing every year. The corresponding number for Cork University Hospital is 141.
What is Professor Keane doing? It is convenient to blame the HSE, the Minister and the Minister of State. What is the cancer strategy supposed to achieve? We have already established the excellent centre I have mentioned. It makes no sense to proceed in this manner at a time of fiscal rectitude. Why are we telling the people of Cork that we will close one centre and transfer it lock, stock and barrel to Cork University Hospital? The hospital is already at straining point and, in my opinion, having lived in that area all my life, can no longer cope.
In this economic climate it makes no sense to waste valuable resources to make this transition. In Cork we have established a renowned centre of excellence. To close it is regressive and makes no sense economically, socially or medically. If we transfer it, what will happen to the BreastCheck unit we have established? Will it be lost? Will it move to Cork University Hospital? What are we saying to the women of Cork and the dedicated staff?
I hope in the Minister's reply we have an open-door policy. Despite what the HSE said and the reports in the media, I do not believe the management and staff of the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital have bought into this. Newspaper reports and other information I have suggest they have not. At his 11th hour we could have a combined strategy in Cork, like we have in Dublin. It works well in Dublin and will work well in Cork. We have a centre of excellence there that requires to be maintained.