Vol. 536 No. 5
227 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a proposal to remove the mammography machine from Tralee Regional Hospital to Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14960/01]
The provision of hospital services at Tralee General Hospital is the statutory responsibility of the Southern Health Board in the first instance.
The Southern Health Board provide a symptomatic breast cancer service at Tralee General Hospital, which is based on a general practitioner and consultant referral. The mammography service is an integral part of the existing service.
The board has adopted the report of the subgroup of the National Cancer Forum on the "Development of Services for Symptomatic Breast Disease" which recommends the establishment of two specialist breast units in the board's area. The board has informed me that services at Tralee General Hospital will continue and the board has no proposals for the discontinuation of mammography services at the hospital.
The board's service plan for the current year includes the development of cancer treatment and care services at Tralee General Hospital including the appointment of a palliative care consultant, sessional commitment from the newly appointed consultant medical oncologist and the further development of the oncology unit at the hospital.
