Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:
12
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the reason the report of the expert group on the provision of radiotherapy services across the country has still not been published, more than three years after it was received by his Department; when it is expected that the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22518/03]
This morning I launched the report of the expert working group on the development of radiation oncology services in Ireland. I have arranged for copies of the report to be made available to Deputies. The report provides a detailed plan for the further development of radiation oncology services in this country. The Government has accepted the recommendations of this report. I would like to outline brief details of the report and the expansion programme in radiotherapy that I have announced.
The Government agrees that a major programme is now required to rapidly develop clinical radiation oncology treatment services to modern standards. Furthermore, the Government has agreed that the first step of such a new programme should be the development of a clinical network of large centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway. I agree with the report's conclusion that this is the best model to provide a radiation oncology service to the highest standards. These centres will collectively have the staff and treatment infrastructure to permit a rapid increase in patient access to appropriate radiation therapy and will form the backbone of the future service expansion. This is the best model to rapidly provide a radiation oncology service. The development of radiation oncology services along the lines recommended in this report is the single most important priority of my Department in cancer services in the acute setting.
In the short-term, I have issued approval for the purchase of two additional linear accelerators – principal treatment machine – for the Cork centre and the necessary capital investment amounting to €4 million to commission this service as rapidly as possible. I have now approved the appointment of a project team to prepare a brief for the rapid expansion of current capacity from four to eight linear accelerators. I also intend to prioritise the necessary resources to ensure that the radiation oncology centre in Galway, which is currently being commissioned, is in a position to treat patients, commencing in spring 2005. I have also requested the Western Health Board to prepare a development control plan to facilitate the expansion from three to six linear accelerators in the medium term. I will also give early approval to the establishment of a project team to plan this expansion.
The report recommends that there should be two treatment centres located in the eastern region, one serving the southern part of the region and adjacent catchment areas and one serving the northern part of the region and adjacent catchment areas. I have asked the chief medical officer of my Department to advise on the optimum location of radiation treatment facilities in Dublin. The chief medical officer will apply the guidelines established by the group. Based on the advice from the chief medical officer, who will be supported by my Department's hospital planning office, I will decide on the location of the services. I propose discussing the implications of the report with the board of St. Luke's Hospital in the near future.
I will require radiation oncology centres to provide services on an equitable basis which will ensure that patients of equal need will have equal access. Geography will not be a barrier to equal access. I will also require radiation oncology centres to provide outreach services to hospitals in adjoining regions. This is currently the case and as more radiation oncologists are appointed it will be necessary to ensure that there is an equitable spread of outreach services.
In addition, the Government has also decided that in the future development of services, consideration should be given to developing satellite centres at Waterford, Limerick and the north-west. Such consideration will take into account the international evaluation of satellite centres, the efficacy of providing this model and the need to ensure quality standards of care.
It is my intention to develop a national integrated network of radiation oncology. The twin objectives of equitable access regardless of location and an effective national quality assurance programme need to be supported by a co-ordinating mechanism, as recommended in the report. I have now established a national radiation oncology co-ordinating group. The group will,inter alia, facilitate improved access to existing and planned services. The group will comprise clinical, technical, managerial, academic and nursing expertise from different geographic regions.
