Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

149 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding his proposals for the provision of a satellite radiotherapy unit for Waterford Regional Hospital, details supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28812/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

As the Deputy is aware, I recently launched the report of the expert working group on the development of radiation oncology services in Ireland. 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.

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. 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 provide a radiation oncology service to the highest standards. 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 announced approval for the purchase of two additional linear accelerators 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 capacity from four to eight linear accelerators. I intend also to prioritise the necessary resources to ensure that the radiation oncology centre in Galway, which is 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 give early approval to the establishment of a project team to plan this expansion. These developments in Cork and Galway will provide an additional five linear accelerators. This is a significant increase that will ensure when fully developed that an additional 2,000 patients are treated per year. Five additional consultant radiation oncologists will be employed in the provision of these services.

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 the case and as more consultant radiation oncologists are appointed it will be necessary to ensure that there is an equitable spread of outreach services. This will improve access for patients in the south-east, mid-west and north-west

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.