Vol. 512 No. 1
178 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the arrangement made by his Department in setting up a department of oncology based at three Cork hospitals; and the resources which will be made available to that department. [25604/99]
The National Cancer Forum, which advises me on all aspects of cancer services, was requested by Comhairle na nOspideal to recommend an appropriate structure for consultant medical oncology services in the Southern Health Board area. The forum established a sub-group to consider the matter. The sub-group met individually with representatives of Cork University Hospital, the Mercy Hospital and the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital to discuss the issues involved. The sub-group then held a collective discussion with all three hospitals, at which agreement was reached on the most appropriate structuring of medical oncology services for the region.
The National Cancer Forum will be communicating with Comhairle na nOspideal after the forum's next meeting on 15 December. I expect that comhairle will be in a position to make a decision on the structuring of the services following the communication from the forum and the submission of relevant applications from the three hospitals.
I have provided funding for two consultant medical oncology posts in the 2000 Estimates, and I anticipate that, subject to comhairle's approval, the posts can be advertised and filled during 2000. I welcome the progress that has been made in relation to the structuring of the posts, and I am pleased that it was possible to achieve agreement on them at local level. I believe that the provision of these posts will represent a major step forward in the provision of oncology services in the Southern Health Board area.
