Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 January 2022
297. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date regarding the development of a comprehensive cancer care centre for Galway University Hospital as provided for in the National Development Plan 2021-2030; when the SARS and the preliminary business case will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2785/22]
View answerThe model of care for hospital cancer treatment is centred on eight Designated Cancer Centres serving a defined population and geographic area. University Hospital Galway is one the eight centres. The centralisation of specialist services into Designated Cancer Centres aims to optimise patient outcomes, through case volume, multidisciplinary working and infrastructural supports.
The National Cancer Strategy recommends that investment in the Designated Cancer Centres will have the goal of ultimately establishing at least one Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre. The Department of Health and the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme have commenced consideration of the steps required towards the implementation of this recommendation. Decisions on the establishment of at least one Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre during the Strategy period will be made in the light of available resources and developments in the best performing centres worldwide. This has always been seen as something that would be progressed in the latter part of the Strategy period.
