Vol. 419 No. 6
55 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the age and condition of the equipment for radiation treatment in the major cancer hospitals; the reason for the frequent break-downs; and his plans to overcome these problems.
107 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the age and condition of the equipment for radiation treatment in the major cancer hospitals; the reason for the frequent break-downs; and his plans to overcome these problems.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 107 together.
Detailed information on the age and condition of specific items of equipment for radiation treatment is not routinely collected by my Department. However, a programme for the phased renewal of equipment has been initiated and the priority for replacement in the subject for ongoing discussion between my Department and health agencies.
As I have indicated previously to this House, substantial funds were made available in recent years towards the purchase of new and replacement radiotherapy equipment at Cork Regional Hospital. Last year my Department made capital funds of approximately £480,000 available for the purpose of a new cobalt unit in Cork. Considerable investment, both State and voluntary, has been made in recent years in the radiotherapy unit at Cork Regional Hospital with the provision of a linear accelerator at a total cost of £87,000.
The other National Radiotherapy Centre at St. Luke's/St. Anne's Hospital is currently, at the request of my Department examining its longer term equipment needs. When this list is submitted to my Department, it will be considered in the context of the available resources, having regard to the many other competing priority requirements throughout the country.
Would the Minister accept that it would be sensible for his Department to maintain some knowledge of the age, condition and breakdown records of equipment which is crucial to providing care? Would he indicate the likely scale of this programme, whether it will be capable of dealing with replacement on a natural wastage basis so that we can have confidence that there will not be a continued series of break-downs as has been the case in the last 12 months in St. Luke's Hospital and in other centres?
The Deputy is correct in that such a system should be in operation. In the budget for every hospital there should be provision for depreciation of hospital equipment because it is not acceptable that people have to rush around to get the necessary funds when equipment breaks down. That is a very haphazard way of running a service. I indicated to the Department that such a practice should be implemented so that we have knowledge of the age and wear and tear of equipment and in order that there will not be a recurrence of what happened in the hospital mentioned.
