Vol. 510 No. 6
241 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation in relation to the treatment of cancer patients in the north west region, the level of support available and envisaged for the future through the cancer strategy in the region, the reliance on the major Dublin hospitals and the level of interaction with hospitals in Derry and Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23293/99]
In line with the national cancer strategy which was based on the objectives of taking all possible measures to reduce the rates of illness and deaths from cancer, and ensuring that those who develop cancer receive the most effective care and treat ment, significant developments have taken place in the North-Western Health Board region.
The North-Western Health Board has received approval for two posts of consultant oncologist, one to be based in Letterkenny and one to be based in Sligo. The Letterkenny post will be linked to Belfast City Hospital and the Sligo Post will be linked to the supra regional cancer centre in University College Hospital, Galway In conjunction with the appointee, this post may be associated with a Dublin hospital pending the completion of the project enabling University College Hospital, Galway to assume supra regional status. It is proposed that a temporary linkage with Beaumont Hospital will be in operation pending the development of the Galway site.
The North-Western Health Board has also received approval for a post of consultant haematologist who will have a regional remit to be based in Letterkenny General Hospital, and a post of general surgeon with special interest in breast care to be based in Sligo General Hospital.
These appointments and those of associated support staff will provide for a high quality cancer service to the people of the north western region.
The development of the day services units in Letterkenny and Sligo, which will include oncology facilities is progressing well and it is anticipated that they will be completed by late summer 2000.
