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Hospital Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005

Tuesday, 21 June 2005

Ceisteanna (45)

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

57 Mr. McGinley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of the provision of radiotherapy services for the south-east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20899/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Government is committed to making the full range of cancer services available and accessible to cancer patients throughout Ireland. To this end, we will provide considerable investment in radiation oncology facilities in the coming years.

The Government's policy on radiation oncology is based on the Report on the Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland. It is important to build teams of highly expert clinicians working together to deliver top quality cancer care, including radiotherapy, to cancer patients. The Government is therefore determined to ensure access by cancer patients throughout the country to high quality radiation oncology in line with best international standards. The immediate developments at Cork and Galway have resulted in the provision of an additional five linear accelerators. Two additional linear accelerators are being provided at Cork University Hospital, CUH. The first of these linear accelerators was fully commissioned in March and the second is expected to be commissioned by the autumn. Two additional consultant radiation oncologists will be appointed at CUH with sessional commitments to the south-eastern and the mid-western areas. The new radiotherapy department at University College Hospital Galway began treating patients in March. These developments will significantly improve access to radiotherapy for patients in the south-east and throughout the country.

The report recommends that there should be two radiotherapy treatment centres located in the eastern area. The international panel established to advise on the optimum locations for these centres has submitted its advice to me. I will make my decision in relation to this matter shortly, having heard many valid points of view on it from interested and committed parties all of whom share our priority to build radiotherapy services through top class clinical networks.

The national radiation oncology co-ordinating group is currently developing a national telesynergy network for radiation oncology services. Arrangements are being made to install this technology at Waterford Regional Hospital. This will improve linkages with Cork University Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin and reduce patient and consultant travel time.

In relation to the Deputy's part of the country, I will be meeting the Minister for Health of Northern Ireland, Mr. Shaun Woodward, MP, shortly and I have asked that North-South co-operation on cancer services be put on the agenda. The Government is as committed to delivering safe and effective cancers services for the people of Donegal and Waterford as we are for people in every county.

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