I appreciate the opportunity to raise this important issue of the provision of a radiotherapy service in the mid-west region, which has been sought for a long time. People in Dublin do not understand how difficult and traumatic it is for those in the mid-west who must access services in Dublin or Cork. I made a proposal to establish a radiotherapy service in the mid-west region for the benefit of parents suffering from cancer. This unique proposal was adopted by the health board at its meeting on 17 January. The proposal is that a public private partnership between the Mid-Western Health Board, the Mid-Western Hospital Development Trust and the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, should be established in the region.
The details of the proposal are that the health board would provide a site adjacent to the existing cancer centre in the Mid-West Regional Hospital. Planning permission exists for a radiotherapy unit in the hospital. The development trust would provide the money – approximately €6 million – for the building and equipment and the State would not have to provide money. The Mater Private Hospital would be responsible for the operating costs. Currently there are four centres with two private facilities providing radiotherapy. Three of the centres are in Dublin and Cork. This is insufficient to meet demand. The result is long waiting lists for people in the mid-west region in particular. They have difficulty obtaining treatment due to the distance involved and often have to spend six weeks away from home while having treatment in Dublin or Cork.
The Minister of State will appreciate this is extremely stressful for cancer patients and their families. Terminally ill cancer patients require radiotherapy to ease their pain and suffering. We are proposing the establishment of a local unit which would transform the lives of those patients and their families. The Minister of State will be aware that almost three years ago the Minister appointed an expert group to examine the need for radiotherapy services. Perhaps he will tell me what is happening in that area?
The report has not yet been published and perhaps the Minister of State will indicate when that might happen? Perhaps this forum does not facilitate that. We do not believe that a national radiotherapy service will be provided and the Minister will quote cost as the reason for that decision. He will also quote the current economic climate as has been expressed on the basis that no further funding should be expended on people with intellectual disability.
There may be other influences against the provision of a radiotherapy unit in the mid-west region. The only funding being sought by the mid-west region from the Exchequer is required to pay for the treatment of public patients. This will amount to approximately €500,000 initially and €1.5 million when the unit is up and running. In doing this there will be no barriers to the treatment of public patients who will have the same access to this unit as patients covered by health care insurance. A great deal of money will be paid into the Exchequer in supporting patients travelling from the mid-west region to Cork or Dublin. This is a golden opportunity to put in place the final component of a world class cancer service for the people of the mid west region. The unit if given the go ahead can be up and running within two years and will put an end to the hardship which sick and vulnerable people from my area are enduring.
