Brian O'Shea
Question:155 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on implementing the recommendations of an expert group’s report on radiotherapy services. [16047/04]
View answerThursday, 27 May 2004
Questions (158, 159)
Brian O'Shea
Question:156 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children when radiotherapy services will be reviewed and satellite radiotherapy units will be provided in the south east, mid-west and north west regions. [16048/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
Last October I launched the report, The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland. The Government accepted its recommendations. It agrees that a major programme is required to rapidly develop clinical radiation oncology treatment services to modern standards. The first phase will be the development of a clinical network of large centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
Implementing the recommendations is my most important priority when providing cancer services in an acute hospital setting. As a first step I provided additional resources this year to begin the process. This year I shall make €2.5 million available for the supra-regional centre at University College Hospital, Galway. It has been built and equipment is being commissioned. Last year I approved the appointment of a consultant radiation oncologist. Recently I approved the appointment of two additional consultant radiation oncologists with significant sessional commitments to the North Western Health Board and the Mid-Western Health Board. I also approved the appointment of a consultant medical oncologist.
I have requested the Western Health Board to prepare a development control plan to facilitate an increase from three to six in the number of linear accelerators at UCHG in the medium term. I have also approved the establishment of a project team to plan the expansion in the region.
Approval has issued for the purchase of two additional linear accelerators for the supra-regional centre at Cork University Hospital and the necessary capital investment of over €4 million to commission the service as rapidly as possible. In 2004 a sum of €1 million ongoing revenue funding will be made available for the development that will improve services for cancer patients in the Southern, Mid-Western and South Eastern Health Boards. Approval was issued for the appointment of two consultant radiation oncologists with significant sessional commitments to the South Eastern Health Board and the Mid-Western Health Board.
The immediate developments in the southern and western regions will result in the provision of an additional five linear accelerators, 50% of an increase. Provision has been made for the appointment of an additional five consultant radiation oncologists and their recruitment is under way. At present we have ten consultant radiation oncologists nationally. It will result in a significant increase in the numbers of patients receiving radiation oncology in the short term.
The report recommends that there should be two treatment centres located in the eastern region, one serving the southern part of the region and adjacent catchment areas and one serving the northern part of the region and adjacent catchment areas. My Department's chief medical officer was asked to advise on the optimum location of radiation treatment facilities in Dublin. A detailed request for submissions is being finalised. The CMO will apply the guidelines established by the group. He will be supported by my Department's hospital planning office and international experts.
I intend to develop a national integrated network of radiation oncology, based on equitable access regardless of location and an effective national quality assurance programme. I established a national radiation oncology co-ordinating group as recommended in the report. It comprises clinical, technical, managerial, academic and nursing expertise from different geographic regions. Its remit encompasses recommending measures to facilitate improved access to existing and planned services, including transport and accommodation. I expect the group will develop proposals for these important areas.
The Government has also decided that when developing services consideration should be given to locating satellite centres in Waterford, Limerick and the north west. Account will be taken of the international evaluation of satellite centres, the efficacy of providing this model and the need to ensure quality standards of care.