Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018
578. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health his plans to address capacity issues at the family history breast care clinic in St. James's Hospital; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that appointments at this clinic have been cancelled at short notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45016/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra630. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason for the non-offering of appointments as part of the family risk assessment clinic in St James's Hospital; his plans to address this issue in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45266/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra645. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the removal of the service of the family risk assessment clinic for breast cancer at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8; the rationale for this decision; if the hospital has been deprived of the resources to carry on this service; if his attention was drawn to the issue in either 2017 or to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45322/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 578, 630 and 645 together.
St James's Hospital, as a designated cancer centre, runs a Rapid Access Breast Clinic for Symptomatic Breast Disease.
In parallel with the Rapid Access Breast Clinic, a Familial Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Service has evolved to provide a clinical service to women who are considered to be at higher than average risk of developing cancer in their lifetime. Due to increased referral rates to the symptomatic breast disease clinic, as well as to the 'family risk' clinic, the hospital is currently prioritising the symptomatic patients to ensure that a quality, timely and sustainable service is available to them. This has resulted in the suspension of the family risk service, other than for urgent cases. This matter came to the attention of my Department in July.
One of the hospital's two mammography machines which was at end of life has recently been replaced. A third machine is on order and is expected to be installed late this year or early in 2019. Capacity for mammography has been a major part of the challenge in meeting demand for breast services in St James's.
The intention is to restore the Familial Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Service in St James's early in the new year.
