Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019
25. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the delivery of the new radiation oncology unit in University Hospital Galway; the number of vacancies in oncology at the hospital; the number of persons on the waiting list for oncology services at the hospital; the length of time they have been on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20833/19]
View answerConstruction on the new Radiation Oncology Unit at University Hospital Galway (UHG) is expected to be completed in April 2021. It will open to patients following the completion of clinical commissioning in March 2022.
UHG have made the Department aware of seven oncology-related vacancies in the Hospital, including five at staff nursing level and two within management and administration. I am advised that UHG are taking the necessary steps to recruit to these positions.
The key performance indicator for access to radiotherapy services measures the percentage of patients referred for radiation oncology treatment who were offered an appointment within 15 working days. In March of this year, 97% of these patients were offered an appointment within this timeframe, above the 90% target set out in the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026.
UHG have advised that there are 23 patients on their oncology waiting list. An appointment date has been allocated to 22 of these patients and an appointment for the remaining person will be made shortly.
