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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

204 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the location of radiotherapy and chemotherapy units around the country; the plans he has to facilitate the treatment of patients who need radio and or chemotherapy in their own health board region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14333/00]

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 the Government acted quickly in assessing that case and took the decision to provide a service at Galway at an estimated cost of some £10 million. The radiotherapy service there will be provided as part of the overall phase two development at the hospital. Tenders have been received for this development and are currently being considered by my Department. A decision on approval is expected very shortly.
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.
In addition to this investment in existing and new radiotherapy services, I have recently established an expert group to examine the appropriate further development of radiotherapy services nationally. I have asked the group to report to me in a short timeframe in order to facilitate early decisions on future developments.
Chemotherapy services are widely available to patients requiring the service in each health board area in the country, subject to the guidelines issued by my Department.
I would like to assure the Deputy of my commitment to the further development of cancer services in this country to ensure an equitable availability of services in line with models of best international practice.
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