Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 April 2008
434 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No 313 of 30 January 2008 and a subsequent Health Service Executive reply, if she will confirm that the position regarding a visit to the hospital to evaluate the cancer service at the centre remains the same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12248/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decisions of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in relation to the designation of four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres will be implemented on a managed and phased basis. The HSE has designated University College Hospital Galway and Limerick Regional Hospital as the two cancer centres in the Managed Cancer Control Network for HSE Western Region, which includes County Sligo.
Where diagnosis and treatment planning is directed and managed by multi-disciplinary teams based at the cancer centres, then much of the treatment (other than surgery) can be delivered in local hospitals, such as Sligo General Hospital. In this context, chemotherapy and support services will continue to be delivered locally. Cancer day care units, including at Sligo General Hospital, will continue to have an important role in delivering services to patients as close to home as possible.
I understand that in response to the Deputy's earlier question that the HSE wrote on the 18th February to advise that Professor Tom Keane had no scheduled visits to any hospitals outside the eight designated centres. The Deputy's current question in relation to Professor Tom Keane visiting Sligo General Hospital relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the HSE under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
