Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 7

Written Answers. - Hospice Facility.

Matt Brennan

Ceist:

177 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Health whether the North-Western Health Board has sought development funds from his Department for grant aid towards the residential hospice facility which has been completed by North West Hospice; the date on which the first request for such development funds was made by the North-Western Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21960/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): On 20 April 1995 the North-Western Health Board adopted a motion asking the health board to seek State funding for the provision of day care and residential hospice care for the North West Hospice and Donegal Hospice. This motion was communicated to my Department by the chief executive officer of the North-Western Health Board on 25 April 1955. In subsequent discussions between my Department and the North-Western Health Board, the board identified the provision of funding in this regard as a priority in terms of the funding available for the provision and development of hospice services.

Since taking office I have identified cancer as one of my major priorities. On the basis of service priorities agreed with the North-Western Health Board, I have addressed the need to improve services for cancer patients in the North West and I have provided £275,000 for the development of oncology services in the North-Western Health Board area.

On Tuesday, 5 November 1996 I announced a set of initiatives for the future reorganisation of cancer services throughout the country. Included in these initiatives are proposals for the development of specialist palliative care so that the development of this service will best meet the needs and personal preferences of patients with cancer or long-term conditions. A national cancer forum, which will have consumer representation, will be established to co-ordinate services and to provide detailed advice on the development of palliative care services nationally. In parallel with this process all health boards will be requested to draw up a set of priorities for the development of palliative care services in their area. In this regard, the North-Western Health Board has advised me that the board's priorities will address the role, function and funding of the voluntary organisations, the North West Hospice and the Donegal/Foyle Hospice, in the proposed future organisation of the services in the board's area.