Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2008
154 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will clarify reports that two of the proposed centres of excellence for cancer will now operate as one centre; if, in those circumstances, she will reconsider retaining a centre in County Sligo, at which a high standard pertains; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32182/08]
View answerI understand that Deputy is referring to St. Vincent's Hospital and the Mater Hospital. Both of these hospitals are designated centres under the National Cancer Control Programme and so will not operate as a single designated centre. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has designated University Hospital Galway and Limerick Regional Hospital as the two cancer centres in the Managed Cancer Control Network for the HSE Western Region, which includes Sligo. The designation of cancer centres aims to ensure that patients receive the highest quality care while at the same time allowing local access to services, where appropriate.
Where diagnosis and treatment planning is directed and managed by multi-disciplinary teams based at the cancer centres, then much of the treatment (other than surgery) can be delivered in local hospitals, such as Sligo General Hospital. In this context, chemotherapy and support services will continue to be delivered locally. Cancer day care units, including at Sligo General Hospital, will continue to have an important role in delivering services to patients as close to home as possible.
