Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2016
362. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his proposals to ensure that adequate resources are provided to continue the present level of services for the centre of excellence for sarcoma in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin; if he is aware of the concerns of the Sarcoma Action Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18581/16]
View answer363. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health why the only specialised sarcoma consultant here is due to have their contract terminated on 30 June 2016; the contingency plans the Minister has put in place to look after the 300 patients currently under the care of this consultant; the person who will now be responsible for this national centre of excellence for sarcoma; his plans to deal with the 200 to 250 sarcoma cases that will present in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18641/16]
View answer388. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health why St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin 4 is dispensing with the services of a person (details supplied). [18053/16]
View answer390. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the end of a contract in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will investigate a new contract. [18075/16]
View answer430. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will facilitate a group (details supplied) in meeting the chief executive officer of St. Vincent's Hospital to discuss their concerns regarding the staffing situation for those in need of sarcoma treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18326/16]
View answer435. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health why the only specialised sarcoma consultant (details supplied) is being let go; the qualifications of the person who will look after this consultant's 300-odd patients; the person who will be responsible for the national centre of excellence for sarcoma based in St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin 4; how he proposes to deal with future cases of sarcoma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18380/16]
View answer445. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will inquire into the termination of a contract (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18437/16]
View answer451. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health the efforts he is making to convince St. Vincent's Hospital that the specialist in the treatment of sarcoma be retained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18523/16]
View answer452. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason that the sole sarcoma specialist position is being discontinued from the end of the month at St. Vincent's Hospital resulting in the lack of a specialist in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18525/16]
View answer453. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the only consultant who specialises in the treatment of sarcoma here is not having her contract renewed in St. Vincent's Hospital; his views that this situation will not properly provide for the treatment of sacroma patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18526/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 363, 388, 390, 430, 435, 445 and 451 to 453, inclusive, together.
Services for patients with sarcoma are provided in St. Vincent’s University Hospital and in Cork University Hospital. Both hospitals are Designated Cancer Centres and have an extensive range of multi-disciplinary services and expert clinical advice available to them.
St Vincent's University Hospital has provided highly specialised and individualised treatment to sarcoma sufferers for a number of years. St. Vincent’s has access to all of the relevant specialties, including surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology and is the largest provider of surgical procedures for soft tissue sarcomas in the country.
A National Clinical Lead in Soft Tissue Sarcomas has been appointed to oversee the services for patients with sarcomas. Irish patients with sarcoma have their cases presented and discussed at one of the two sarcoma multi-disciplinary teams. Members of these teams also have links with European specialists in sarcoma.
A Consultant Medical Oncologist was employed by St. Vincent’s hospital on a locum contract to provide cover for another Consultant Medical Oncologists who had taken on the role as Chair of Irish Clinical Oncology Research Group. This Consultant has now returned to his post at the hospital.
I am assured by the HSE that care for patients requiring treatment for sarcoma cancer will continue to receive high quality care at St. Vincent’s Hospital and that their management will be provided by one of the hospital’s full-time oncologists.
Meanwhile, consideration is also being given to appointing a permanent Consultant Medical Oncologist with a special interest in the area of sarcoma to meet demand at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. Such an appointment would be advertised and the appointment process would be conducted in the normal way.
