Vol. 536 No. 4
140 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the significant waiting list for patients who are awaiting radium treatment; the steps his Department is putting in place to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14404/01]
The Eastern Regional Health Authority has informed me that patients who are referred to St Luke's Hospital for radiotherapy treatment are assessed within two weeks of referral. Patients presenting as medical emergencies are prioritised for treatment by the consultant concerned. I have also been informed by the Southern Health Board that patients who are referred to Cork University Hospital for radiotherapy treatment are medically assessed within two to three weeks of referral.
Additional radiotherapy services are currently being developed at University College Hospital Galway to compliment services available from the other supra-regional centres at Cork and Dublin. The radiotherapy unit in Cork University Hospital is also undergoing a development programme which is near completion.
The planned development of cancer services nationally has been guided by the national cancer strategy. Having regard to developments in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, I established an expert working group under the chairmanship of Professor Donal Hollywood to examine radiotherapy requirements in the context of the further implementation of the strategy. The work of the expert group is at an advanced stage and the group's report is expected in the coming months.
141 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will take steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is immediately admitted for radium treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14405/01]
Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons living in County Westmeath rests with the Midland Health Board in the first instance. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
