Vol. 561 No. 1
325 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in his receiving the report of the expert group on the development of radiotherapy services; when he expects to receive the report if he has not already done so; if he will make a commitment to publish the report as soon as it is received in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3187/03]
353 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when the report of the expert group on the development of radiotherapy services will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3354/03]
355 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when the report of the expert group on the development of radiotherapy services will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3370/03]
391 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of the radio-therapy report; when it will be made public; his plans to fund the immediate action arising from the report; if such funding is available in the 2003 Estimates; and the reason for the delay in completing the report. [3582/03]
392 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children his short-term plans to improve the radiotherapy services in the south-east while waiting to implement a long-term strategy arising from the national radiotherapy report; the services which are now available; if he has satisfied himself with current arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3583/03]
410 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received the report of the expert review group on radiotherapy services; when he will make a decision with regard to the expansion of such services to areas currently without such a service in their region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3723/03]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 325, 353, 355, 391, 392 and 410 together.
As the Deputies are aware, I established the expert review group on radiotherapy services to examine the appropriate future development of radiotherapy services. The group has conducted a national assessment of needs for radiotherapy services having regard to the demography and epidemiology of cancer and the gaps in current service provision. The group's report will address the following key issues: access to radiotherapy services, in terms of information, financial access and organisational components of access; the need to provide a high quality, evidence based service; the need to take account of current and new developments in health technology; the requirements of the system in terms of human resources; international norms in relation to service provision, planning and staffing; and the organisational development of the services in terms of structures and processes which need to be place in a radiotherapy facility.
I understand that the work of the expert working group is at the final editing stage and will be submitted to me shortly. All health boards have been afforded the opportunity to meet with and make submissions to the group. The provision of additional radiotherapy services will be considered in the context of the report of the group. Following consideration of the report, I will submit proposals for consideration by Government.
