Johnny Guirke
Ceist:447. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the reasons for outsourcing public patients to private radiation therapy services each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22180/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 7 May 2025
Ceisteanna (447)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to improving cancer care, ensuring better prevention, maintaining improvements in cancer survival rates, and timely access to treatments including radiotherapy. The demand for radiotherapy services is increasing year-by-year in line with expectations identified by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland and the HSE National Cancer Control Programme.
Public radiotherapy centres out-source selected patients based on clinical indications to private radiotherapy facilities, in order to ensure their timely access to treatment. Around €10 million per year is spent on outsourcing radiotherapy appointments. This is in addition to the privately provided services in Limerick and Waterford which are contracted to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The HSE is working to enhance its radiotherapy capacity. A planned radiotherapy equipment replacement programme is in place and is working to update equipment across St. Luke's Radiation Oncology Network and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin as a priority. Additional measures to improve access include the clinical implementation of advanced radiotherapy technology and the implementation of national clinical guidelines on hypofractionation in all radiotherapy departments. Hypofractionation delivers a reduced number of treatments in a course of radiation therapy, reducing side effects for patients while maintaining treatment efficacy. These measures are used where clinically appropriate and help improve patient outcomes and throughput.