Vol. 513 No. 1
373 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made between his Department and the South Eastern Health Board in the matter of the provision of a radiotherapy unit at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2085/00]
393 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to respond to the resolution of Waterford City Council for the provision of a radiotherapy unit provided at Waterford Regional Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1153/00]
496 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will allocate funding to the South Eastern Health Board for the provision of a radiotherapy unit at Waterford Regional Hospital which will allow patients obtain their treatment in Waterford rather than having to travel to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2008/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 373, 393 and 496 together.
The planned development of cancer services nationally has been guided by the national cancer strategy, which was published in November, 1996. As part of the implementation of that strategy, it is planned to develop radiotherapy services at University College Hospital Galway to complement services already available from the other supra-regional centres at Cork and Dublin.
There are no plans at present to develop a radiotherapy service at Waterford Regional Hospital. However, I understand that the National Cancer Forum is currently examining radiotherapy requirements on a national basis and will be reporting to me on the matter in due course.
