Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

226 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that patients who need chemotherapy have access to it within their own health board area; the gaps in service which have been identified in this regard; the plans he has to address these gaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15182/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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. There has been considerable development in the care and treatment of patients with cancer in recent years. Since the launch of the national cancer strategy in November 1996, and the announcement of the action plan for the implementation of the strategy in March 1997 considerable improvements have taken place in this area.

The two underlying principles of the national cancer strategy are: 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 all patients have access to an equitable, effective service with a uniformly high quality of care, wherever they live.

Since the strategy was launched, regional directors of cancer services were appointed in each health board area, with two co-regional directors of cancer services appointed in the North Eastern Health Board area. The regional directors were asked to prepare plans for the development of cancer services in their area and these plans were then submitted to my Department. The national cancer forum and Professor James Fennelly, special adviser on cancer services to the Department, advised on appropriate developments in each area. On a national basis, some 41 million of dedicated funding has been allocated since 1997 for the development of cancer services.

My Department is continuing to work with the national cancer forum and the regional directors of cancer services in identifying priorities for the further development of cancer services in all regions, building on the major progress made to date.