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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Breast Cancer Service.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

322 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the level of standards and treatment employed by the breast cancer team and staff in the examination and treatment of breast cancer in women at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23171/00]

The provision of services in this instance is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply to the Deputy directly.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

323 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the range and scope of examination facilities and treatment facilities both in equipment and personnel available in University College Hospital Galway, County Galway, and in Mayo General Hospital, County Mayo, to deal with breast cancer examination or treatment; when an audit of standards was carried out in each case; the results in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23172/00]

The provision of services in this instance is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply to the Deputy directly.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

324 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if a meeting of the advisory group appointed by him to advise and liaise regarding local refinements in the implementation of the National Cancer Forum report took place recently; the names and professional qualifications of those in attendance; the issues discussed; if a recommendation from this meeting that the breast cancer facility at Mayo General Hospital be phased out and closed down was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23173/00]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

362 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will confirm that a meeting of the advisory group on symptomatic breast cancer took place with officials and medical staff from the Western Health Board on 12 October 2000; the names and qualifications of those officially in attendance; the recommendations made by the advisory group at this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23331/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 362 together.

As the Deputy is aware, I received the report of the National Cancer Forum on the development of services for symptomatic breast disease. I have considered this report and while having taken no final decisions on its implementation, I accept the broad thrust of its recommendations. However, as I feel some further refinement is needed in relation to implementation arrangements at local level I established an advisory group to assist and liaise with health boards in formulating their plans for the development of specialist breast disease services. This advisory group is chaired by Professor Niall O'Higgins, Professor of Surgery and Consultant Surgeon, St. Vincent's Hospital. The membership of the group consists of Dr. Bernadette O'Keefe, deputy chief medical officer, Department of Health and Children, Dr. Ann O'Doherty, consultant radiologist, national breast screening programme and Ms Catherine Bannon, higher executive officer, Department of Health and Children.
The advisory group met with Western Health Board officials and clinicians on 12 October 2000. The recommendations contained in the report were discussed, including the specific recommendations relating to the provision of breast disease services in the Western Health Board area. As the provision of health services in this area is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board in the first instance, following this meeting I understand that the board will formulate its proposals for the development of breast disease services and submit them to this Department for approval and funding.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

325 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of examinations and treatments of breast cancer carried out by medical staff in both University College Hospital Galway, County Galway, and at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo, since 1 January 2000 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23174/00]

The provision of services in this instance is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply to the Deputy directly.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

326 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the level of standards and treatment employed by the breast cancer team and staff in the examination and treatment of breast cancer in women at University College Hospital Galway, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23175/00]

The provision of services in this instance is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply to the Deputy directly.

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