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Gnáthamharc

Hospital Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004

Tuesday, 27 January 2004

Ceisteanna (665, 666, 667)

Dan Neville

Ceist:

784 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children his response to the proposal from the Mid-Western Health Board, the Mid-Western Hospital Development Trust and the Mater Private Hospital Dublin to establish a radiation oncology service at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick. [2228/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The report on the development of radiation oncology services in Ireland was published in October 2003. Its recommendations have been accepted by Government. 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 phase 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. The Government has also agreed that in the further development of services, consideration should be given to the efficacy of developing satellite centres in the south-east, mid-west and north-west.

I will be meeting the Mid-Western Hospital Development Trust this evening to discuss its proposal for radiation oncology services at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick. The implementation of the recommendations of the expert report will result in significant improvements as regards access by patients from the Mid-Western Health Board to radiation oncology services. Specifically, the immediate developments in Cork and Galway will result in the provision of an additional five linear accelerators. This represents an increase of approximately 50% in linear accelerator capacity. Provision is also being made for the appointment of an additional five consultant radiation oncologists. We currently have ten consultant radiation oncologists nationally.

Question No. 785 answered with QuestionNo. 631.

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

786 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures being taken to have Monaghan General Hospital put back on call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2254/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Responsibility for the provision of services at Monaghan General Hospital rests with the North Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

787 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a cut is being made to the budget of Sligo General Hospital; if he has taken into consideration the delays in the service caused by broken down equipment; if he will consider making a refund to the hospital for his Department's failure in this area; if he will reverse the proposed cut in the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2255/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Responsibility for the provision of services at Sligo General Hospital rests with the North Western Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the board to examine the matters raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

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