Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

170 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that patients in need of chemotherapy or other forms of cancer treatment have ready access to treatments and facilities without referral to waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6105/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

From 1997 to date, over €103 million has been invested in development of appropriate treatment and care services for people with cancer. Amongst a range of other initiatives, this investment has enabled the funding of 64 additional consultant posts in key areas such as medical oncology, radiology, symptomatic breast disease, palliative care, histopathology and haematology, together with support staff. This level of funding far exceeds the £25 million which was initially envisaged in 1996 and is a clear indication of this Government's continued commitment to the development of co-ordinated and patient focused treatment in line with the national cancer strategy.

In recognition of the need to further develop cancer services, the national health strategy has identified the need for the preparation by the end of 2002 of a revised implementation plan for it. This plan will be prepared by my Department in conjunction with the National Cancer Forum and will set out the key areas to be targeted for the development of cancer services over the next seven years. The health strategy also provides a framework for the reform of the acute hospital system and improved access for public patients. It includes a plan covering the actions required to address the issue of waiting lists and particularly waiting times.

The single most important limiting factor for admission to hospital is bed availability. In this context a comprehensive review of bed capacity needs has been conducted in both the acute and non-acute sectors. The review, which has informed the new health strategy, has focused primarily on the emerging need to increase bed capacity and to have a strategic framework in place in terms of the number of additional beds required in the short, medium and long-terms. I recently announced the commissioning of an additional 709 acute beds in public hospitals at a cost of €65 million. This is the first phase of an additional 3,000 beds over the period to 2011, as announced in the health strategy. The strategy outlines further measures which are designed to address the issues of capacity and efficiency in the delivery of services. A strategic partnership will be developed with the private sector in providing services for public patients and a national hospitals agency will be set up to plan the configuration of hospital services. I am confident that these measures will result in a more accessible and equitable hospital system for public patients.