Written Answers. - National Cancer Strategy.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:
205
Ms O'Sullivan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the number of (i) radiotherapy units and (ii) chemotherapy units in the country; the plans, if any, for developing these units; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9789/00]
The national cancer strategy which was published in November 1996 and followed in March 1997 by a three year action plan for its implementation, identified two principle objectives: to take all measures possible to reduce rates of illness and death from cancer, in line with the targets established in the health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future, and to ensure that those who develop cancer receive the most effective care and treatment and that their quality of life is enhanced to the greatest extent possible.
Underlying these objectives is the need for a high quality, patient-focused service. One of the specific objectives of the strategy is to ensure that all patients have access to an equitable, effective service with a uniformly high quality of care, wherever they live.
Since the commencement of the implementation of the strategy in 1997, £40 million of dedicated funding has been allocated to the development of cancer services nationally. This investment has resulted in additional consultant appointments in the areas of medical oncology, haematology, histopathology and palliative care.
Radiotherapy is a highly specialised and capital intensive service, requiring specialist personnel including for example, therapeutic radiographers, nurses with training in oncology, technical and engineering support staff. A minimum throughput of patients is required in order to maintain and develop the specialist skills required for the service.
Because of these considerations and the complexity of radiotherapy services, the national cancer strategy recommended that radiotherapy services should be provided from two supra regional centres. The two centres currently providing radiotherapy services to cancer patients are St Luke's Hospital, Dublin, and Cork University Hospital.
The strategy recommended that the case for providing a radiotherapy service from a third supra regional centre at Galway should be kept under review. I am pleased to report that this Government acted quickly in assessing that case and took the decision to provide a service at Galway at an estimated cost of £10 million. The radiotherapy service there will be provided as part of the overall phase two development at the hospital. This is currently out to tender with a view to construction work commencing in a matter of weeks.
In addition to this major investment in new radiotherapy facilities, the existing services available have also been benefiting from a major injection of resources. I recently announced an important investment in radiotherapy and other cancer services in Cork University Hospital, with the allocation of £12.5 million for this purpose. The development will include a chemotherapy day unit, two state of the art linear accelerators and advanced CT simulation facilities. Together with approval for the appointment of two consultant medical oncologists, the improvements will ensure that the service for cancer patients in this area is in line with the best available internationally.
The State's largest radiotherapy centre at St Luke's and St Anne's Hospital opened in June 1998, having undergone a major redevelopment funded by a capital investment of over £20 million. Last year, two additional consultant radiotherapists were appointed to the hospital as part of the ongoing process of developing services there. I have recently established an expert group to examine the appropriate further development of radiotherapy services in this country.
Chemotherapy is administered subject to the guidelines issues by my Department's, guidelines for the safe administration of cytotoxic medical preparations. Chemotherapy services are widely available to patients requiring the service in each health board area in the country.
I assure the Deputy of my commitment to the further development of cancer services in this country.
