Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Oct 2001

Vol. 543 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.

Phil Hogan

Question:

30 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the reported comments of a retiring cancer specialist at Waterford Regional Hospital in relation to the absence of radiotherapy treatment at Ardkeen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25505/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Since the commencement of the implementation of the national cancer strategy in 1997, over £60 million or 76.184 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.

The National Cancer Forum, after careful consideration of the complex issues involved, recommended a comprehensive needs assessment of the country's radiotherapy requirements be undertaken with the objective of ensuring that service availability matches evidence based need.

In May 2000, I established the expert working group on radiotherapy services to examine appropriate radiotherapy service development requirements on a national level having regard to the developments in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment in recent years, the provisions of the national cancer strategy in relation to radiotherapy services and best practice in this area. The expert group has been asked: to undertake an assessment of need in relation to radiotherapy services, including recommended norms in relation to service provision, planning and staffing for facilities; and on the basis of needs identified, to make recommendations on the future development of radiotherapy services, including links with radiotherapy services in Northern Ireland.

It is in this context that the assessment of need for radiotherapy services at Waterford Regional Hospital will be carried out. Mr Gordon Watson, Regional Director for Cancer Services in the South-Eastern Health Board area, represents the regional directors on the expert working group on radiotherapy services. Because of the importance and complexity of the work of the expert group, it is not possible to give an exact date for their report but it is anticipated that their work will be completed before the end of the year.