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Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Questions (800)

Seán Fleming

Question:

800. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a facility in a region (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5328/20]

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Written answers

Radiation oncology services in Ireland are provided in line with a national plan. Radiation oncology is available in five public hospitals: St. James's Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital Rathgar (which three together form the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network), Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway. Radiation oncology services for public patients are also provided in two private facilities in Waterford and Limerick. Meanwhile, patients from the North West can receive radiation oncology treatment at the North West Cancer Centre in Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Derry.

The model of care for radiation oncology allows for the sufficient volume and concentration of activity and expertise to facilitate high quality radiation oncology treatments in line with best evidence and international best practice. Modern radiation oncology is increasingly complex. Delivery of such complex care requires several key components to ensure safe, high quality treatment. These include appropriate physical infrastructure and equipment, a highly trained multidisciplinary team including specialist doctors, nurses, radiation therapists, physicists and other health and social care professionals and a system of quality assurance that can ensure that radiation oncology services are safe, effective, equitable, efficient, timely and centred on the patients needs.

A new facility in Cork University Hospital was opened recently, and construction will commence shortly on a new facility in University Hospital Galway. Future expansion of the facility in Beaumont is also envisaged. In line with the National Plan for Radiation Oncology, it is not proposed to establish a centre for radiation oncology in the Midlands.

Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT/Chemotherapy) is delivered in 26 hospitals across the country, including in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore. In the context of Covid-19 some patients who would normally receive their treatment in Tullamore are now being treated in the Hermitage Medical Clinic, Dublin.

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