Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004
193 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason he was unable to attend a Dáil committee meeting to discuss the Hollywood and most recent radiotherapy report; if he will make himself available to answer questions on these reports prior to the 11 June 2004 local and European elections; if not, when will he be available to attend. [16935/04]
View answerDue to unavoidable Presidency commitments, I was unable to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children on Thursday, 27 May. As I advised the House last week, I am happy to reschedule a date in the near future and very much look forward to meeting the joint committee to discuss in detail my plans for the development of radiation oncology nationally. I have outlined to the House on several occasions recently Government policy in this area. I have also outlined the significant progress made in implementing the report on the development of radiation oncology services in Ireland which is the most important priority in cancer services in the acute hospital setting.
The joint committee has heard detailed presentations from a number of clinicians in relation to radiation oncology services. One of the participants was Professor Donal Hollywood, who chaired the expert group that produced the report. In his presentation to the committee he set out the basis of the model for the development of radiation oncology services nationally which ensures both quality and equity.
The report, which has been endorsed by Government, has received significant additional endorsement from prestigious bodies such as the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute in the US. In addition, the faculty of radiologists of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has advised the chief medical officer of my Department that the report and its comprehensive recommendations have been completely endorsed by the faculty.
I have provided additional resources this year to progress the implementation of the report's recommendations. The immediate developments in the southern and western regions will result in the provision of an additional five linear accelerators. This represents an increase of approximately 50% in linear accelerator capacity. We have also provided for the appointment of an additional five consultant radiation oncologists. Recruitment for these posts is underway. We currently have ten consultant radiation oncologists nationally. This 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. The chief medical officer of my Department has been asked to advise on the optimum location of radiation treatment facilities in Dublin. A detailed request for submissions will be available to relevant hospitals shortly. The chief medical officer will apply the guidelines established by the group and will be supported by the hospital planning office of my Department and international experts.
It is my intention to develop a national integrated network of radiation oncology, based on equitable access regardless of location and an effective national quality assurance programme. As recommended in the report, I have established the national radiation oncology co-ordinating group. The group 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 to develop proposals in these important areas.
194 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the concern that has spread in the south east as a result of information coming into the public domain by a person (details supplied) that oncology services to the south east were to be reduced; if his attention has been drawn to such cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16936/04]
View answerThe 1996 national cancer strategy has led to substantial investment in cancer treatment services and significant improvements in the organisation and delivery of the services. Since 1997, there has been a cumulative additional investment of approximately €550 million in the development of cancer services nationally. This includes an additional sum of €15 million which was allocated in 2004 for cancer services nationally. This substantial investment has enabled the funding of 92 additional consultant posts in key areas such as medical oncology, radiology, palliative care, histopathology, haematology and radiation oncology. An additional 245 clinical nurse specialists have also been appointed in the cancer services area.
A cumulative total of almost €42 million has been allocated to the South Eastern Health Board since 1997 for the development of cancer services including €1.16 million to address service pressures in 2004. This has enabled the funding of the following additional 10 consultant staff — three medical oncologists, two surgeons with special interest in breast care, one histopathologist, one radiologist, one haematologist, one palliative care and one surgeon. An additional 26 clinical nurse specialists have also been appointed.
With regard to symptomatic breast disease, the board has a dedicated unit in Waterford Regional Hospital with a full complement of multidisciplinary staff as set out in the report on development of services for symptomatic breast disease, that is, breast surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, pathologist and nurse specialist. Three surgeons with a special interest in breast surgery in the board's area have sessional commitments to the unit.
Last year I announced the extension of the BreastCheck programme to Counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford and also the national roll-out to the southern and western counties. BreastCheck commenced screening in Wexford in March of this year.
As regards radiotherapy services, my Department has issued approval for the purchase of two additional linear accelerators for the supra-regional centre at Cork University Hospital and the necessary capital investment amounting to more than €4 million to commission this service as rapidly as possible. Approval has also issued for the appointment of two consultant radiation oncologists, one of whom has significant sessional commitments to the South Eastern Health Board. In 2004, €1 million in ongoing revenue funding is available for this development, which will ensure cancer patients in the south east have equitable access to increases in radiotherapy capacity.
