Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 November 2013
31. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his response to the claim by four hospital chief executives that there are unacceptable delays in treatment access for certain cancer patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48052/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised by the hospitals will be considered in the context of the HSE Service Plan for 2014. I wrote to the HSE on Thursday 31 October to confirm that the Executive has until 15 November to submit its Service Plan. In that letter, I also conveyed to the Executive that my overriding priority is patient safety, with the next priority being to treat patients in as timely a fashion as possible.
Clearly, the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancer is a high priority for the HSE. I welcome the huge improvements that have been made in recent years, led by the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. It is very encouraging to note that five year relative survival for all cancers is rising and is now 56.4% for people diagnosed between 2003-2007, as compared with 49.6% for people diagnosed in 1998-2002. The Mater Hospital and St. James's Hospital are the two adult designated cancer centres among the hospitals referred to by the Deputy and according to the latest figures available (August 2013), both are in compliance with the HSE Service Plan access targets, which relate to access to breast, prostate and lung cancer clinics. With regard to paediatric cancer care, I am advised that children are treated according to international protocols and standards of care, that all care is clinically prioritised and that there are no extraordinary delays for children accessing cancer services.
Clearly 2014 will be a very challenging year for the health services. In meeting this challenge, the goal, wherever possible, is to cut the cost of services rather than the level or quality of the services delivered, and to accelerate the pace of reform. The reform programme for hospitals, as set out in Future Health,aims to deliver more responsive and equitable access to services for all patients; to organise public hospitals into more efficient and accountable hospital groups, which can deliver better patient care for less cost; and to ensure that smaller hospitals continue to play a key role.
