Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.

Donal Carey

Question:

203 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if, following his consideration of the cancer research forum group report on cancer facilities throughout the region, he will be prepared to recommend to the Mid-Western Health Board that the full research unit be sited at Ennis General Hospital, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16574/00]

Donal Carey

Question:

204 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ennis General Hospital provides a mammography service, with no waiting lists, for the women of County Clare; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the integrity of the hospital will be badly damaged if the mammography unit is moved from Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16575/00]

Donal Carey

Question:

205 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Mid-Western Health Board has made any recommendations to him regarding the proposals in the cancer research forum group report on cancer facilities, especially with the siting of a regional director, consultant and assistants; if it recommended the closure of the mammography unit at Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16576/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 205, inclusive, together.

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 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. The main areas of development included that of consultant appointments and in this context the Mid-Western Health Board have had additional appointments made in medical oncology, haematology and palliative care. On a national basis, some £41 million of dedicated funding has been allocated since 1997 for the development of cancer services. Dedicated funding for the development of cancer services has been allocated to the mid-west and since the launch of the strategy this has amounted to some £3.701 million. The pilot cervical screening programme is due to commence shortly and is being piloted in the Mid-Western Health Board area.

The National Cancer Forum has recently presented me with a draft copy of its report on the development of services for symptomatic breast disease. I am reviewing this report. 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.