Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2005
34 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of CAT scanners in operation in the health service; the locations of same; their hours of operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4273/05]
View answerThe Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of CAT scanning services in hospitals. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Health Services Executive's national hospitals' office to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.
35 Ms Enright asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has had discussions with potential providers of a private radiotherapy service for the patients of the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4221/05]
View answerI had a meeting earlier today with representatives of the University of Pittsburgh's cancer institute and EuroCare International at which they outlined their plans to provide acute hospital services, including radiotherapy, in Waterford, for patients in the south-eastern area. I am in the process of developing an overall policy framework which will identify the policy issues which need to be addressed and the key criteria to be applied in developing private facilities on public hospital sites. I hope to complete this work in a matter of weeks.
