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Hospital Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2010

Wednesday, 19 May 2010

Ceisteanna (92, 93)

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

114 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that the standards recommended in the Safe Neurosurgery in Ireland 2006 report have been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20892/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

115 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the situation whereby two private breast clinics have been set up in Cork in competition with the centre of excellence set up as a result of the closure of the clinic at the South Infirmary and the clinic in Tralee, County Kerry; her further views on the way these private clinics have been set up at Cork University Hospital, close to the centre of excellence; and if this indicates that the centre of excellence cannot meet the demand on its services. [20894/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The goals of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) are better cancer prevention, detection, treatment and survival through a national service based on evidence and best practice. This involves significant re-alignment of cancer services to move from a fragmented system of care to one which is consistent with international best practice in cancer control.

In line with the recommendations of the 2006 Cancer Control Strategy, eight hospitals have been designated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as cancer centres. These eight hospitals, within which cancer diagnosis and surgery is to be located, will operate within four managed cancer control networks. This process was completed in 2009 for breast cancer diagnostic and surgical services, all of which are now located in the eight centres.

As regards the breast service at Cork University Hospital and the Deputy's suggestion that it cannot meet demand, on the contrary I am very pleased to advise that, to date in 2010, the service is fully compliant with waiting time targets as laid down in the Health Information Quality Authority's (HIQA) National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services.

The development of private medical services is principally a matter for the private sector although I recognise the need for regulation of the establishment and operation of acute hospitals, public and private, in Ireland. Accordingly legislative proposals are being developed by my Department on the licensing of health care facilities, including cancer facilities, based on explicit standards to be set by HIQA. The Deputy may wish to note that my Department's Chief Medical Officer wrote late last year to private health insurers and the independent hospital sector reminding them of the importance of complying with the HIQA Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services. The Deputy may also wish to note that consultants employed in public hospitals are entitled, depending on the type of contract they hold, to engage in private practice.

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