Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2024
219. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will secure investment for prostate cancer treatment available in Ireland through the HSE; if he will ensure that high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment is urgently made available through the HSE; if a person can avail of this treatment should it not be made available through the HSE using the treatment abroad scheme; and the HSE’s plans for improving prostate cancer treatment. [3325/24]
View answerSuccessive National Cancer Strategies have delivered continuing improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients in terms of earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and improved rates of survival. Over 2021 and 2022, €40 million additional funding was allocated to national cancer services, and €30 million for cancer drugs. This funding has helped to reduce waiting times for patients to attend Rapid Access Clinics, and has supported cancer services nationally in treating more patients. It has also supported the introduction of new treatments and models of care.
In 2023, construction on a new €70m radiation oncology centre in University Hospital Galway was completed and I officially opened the facility in October. Patients will be fully transferred to the facility in early 2024.
In 2024, the National Cancer Control Programme will focus on how cancer services can be improved through the implementation of new models of care and better links between services to strengthen patient pathways. Work will continue on new clinical guidelines that incorporate new evidence and can result in cost-saving and better outcomes for patients, e.g. prostate cancer patients can be treated with 75% fewer radiation therapy sessions.
The HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for people entitled under EU Regulation 883/04. The TAS is a consultant led scheme and allows for an Ireland-based public consultant to refer a public patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in the public healthcare system of another EU member state, the UK or Switzerland. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved public treatments in another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland through the issue of form S2 (IE) where the treatment is:
• among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;
• not available in Ireland;
• not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease;
• medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;
• a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;
• provided in a recognised public hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form S2 (IE) and;
• is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
The HSE provides further information for patients on the HSE TAS website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/treatment-abroad-scheme/
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is currently not available in Ireland as a treatment for prostate cancer. I am advised that alternative options are available for low-risk prostate cancer, including close surveillance, treatment such as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), and brachytherapy. Brachytherapy is available in all three public Radiotherapy centres and Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is available in Dublin, with the delivery of this service in Cork and Galway currently in development. Some Irish patients have been referred through the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) to trial centres for HIFU treatment.
