Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2021
246. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if public sector radiation oncology facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway have been expanded to meet patient demand; if a planned national programme of equipment refreshment and replacement has been implemented as is recommended in the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56392/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 and the National Programme for Radiation Oncology (NPRO) provide the strategic direction for the provision of radiation oncology services in Ireland.
Under the NPRO, public sector radiation oncology facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway are being expanded to meet patient demand. Much progress has been made in the expansion of these facilities in recent years as follows:
- Cork University Hospital (CUH) - the construction, clinical commissioning and full transition to a new radiation oncology facility at CUH was recently completed.
- University Hospital Galway - the construction of a new Radiation Oncology Unit is underway. Full opening of the new facility, including clinical commissioning, is expected in 2023.
- Beaumont Hospital - Initial design work on the expansion of the St Luke’s Radiation Oncology facility at Beaumont Hospital has been completed, a planning application has been lodged and work is ongoing on the room design for the new facility.
Furthermore, a business case for an equipment replacement programme over a number of years in the St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network (Beaumont, St James's and St Lukes, Rathgar) has been approved and work is progressing towards implementation.
