Vol. 557 No. 6
186 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a memo from the chief executive officer of the Mater Hospital seeking to cap the range of cancer drugs available to patients; his views on whether this will limit public patients' access to certain expensive drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23172/02]
The Eastern Regional Health Authority has informed my Department that, as part of its normal work in line with the cancer strategy, it is reviewing cancer services, including staffing, facilities, activity protocols and safety standards. As part of its ongoing work, the ERHA liaises with oncologists across the region in conjunction with their respective hospitals on these issues. This work is not and was never about capping budgets for cancer treatments. Its objective is to ensure cancer patients in the eastern region have access to the most modern effective drug treatments.
Since the implementation of the national cancer strategy commenced in 1997, more than €103 million has been invested to date in the development of appropriate treatment and care services for people with cancer. Cancer services throughout the country have benefited from this investment which far exceeds the £25 million requirement which was initially envisaged under the national cancer strategy. Among a range of other initiatives, this investment has enabled the funding of 80 additional consultant posts in key areas such as medical oncology, radiology, symptomatic breast disease, palliative care, histopathology and haematology, together with support staff. Since November 2001, this Government has invested €3.5 million in the development of cancer clinical trials, ensuring cancer patients in Ireland have access to the most modern and effective drug therapies.
