Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to set out the position in regard to the delivery of oncology services for the southern area. The Health Service Executive, southern area, has confirmed that the consultant medical oncologist referred to by the Deputies has resigned to take up a position in Beaumont Hospital after the summer of 2005. He is based at Cork University Hospital and holds a clinic once a fortnight at Kerry General Hospital, KGH, where a registrar in oncology, based at Kerry General Hospital, oversees patient chemotherapy treatment. There is currently one consultant medical oncologist employed by Beaumont Hospital. The consultant referred to by the Deputy will be the second consultant medical oncologist at that hospital.

Cork University Hospital, CUH, is committed to patient care and all steps are being taken to ensure continuity of patient care. The HSE, southern area, has advertised for a locum appointee and the recruitment process for the replacement permanent consultant medical oncologist post has commenced. The HSE, southern area, is working on a proposal for a dedicated oncology ward, which it will submit to the HSE within the next fortnight.

The hospital strategy is to achieve a dedicated oncology ward of 20 beds, that is, the current oncology bed complement, and to open the day procedures unit. The transfer of existing day services to the day procedures unit will allow the vacated space to be utilised for other priority purposes, including a dedicated oncology ward. The hospital is at the relatively early planning stages of a major cardiac-renal facility to include a 30-bed dedicated oncology ward.

The acute hospital planning forum in Cork previously identified the need to additional manpower in this area and, as a consequence, the hospitals have been working on a submission to progress the appointment of two additional consultants.

Since 1997 there has been a cumulative additional investment of approximately €720 million nationally for the development of appropriate treatment and care services for people with cancer. The HSE, southern area, has received an investment of approximately €80 million for oncology services, including this year's allocation of an additional €3.5 million from national cancer strategy funding to address increased regional pressures in oncology services. This funding has provided for the approval of an additional 11 consultants in key areas of cancer care as follows: two consultant medical oncologists, three consultant histopathologists, one consultant radiologist, one consultant haematologist, two consultant radiation oncologists and two consultant surgeons with a special interest in breast care. The funding has also provided for the appointment of 27 cancer care nurse specialists across the southern area.

In regard to radiation oncology services, the supra-regional centre at CUH will provide services for patients in the southern, south-eastern and mid-western areas. Approval has issued for the purchase of two additional linear accelerators for this centre and the necessary capital investment amounting to over €4 million to commission this service as rapidly as possible. These linear accelerators have been ordered and the first one has been installed. The second linear accelerator is scheduled for delivery in April 2005. It is expected that this linear accelerator will be installed and commissioned by the autumn. The expanded unit is expected to provide an extra 5,000 OPD treatment visits a year.

Last year approval issued for the appointment of 29 staff for this unit and additional ongoing revenue funding of €3 million to cater for this expansion. Two additional consultant radiation oncologists will be appointed at Cork University Hospital, with sessional commitments to the south-eastern and the mid-western areas. CUH is also in the process of recruiting other key posts required for the commissioning of the new linear accelerators. In regard to phase two of the development, the design brief for the expansion to eight linear accelerators has been submitted by the HSE, southern area, to the Department and is being examined.

The developments I have outlined describe an overall framework through which cancer services are being developed and provided in the southern area. We are extremely fortunate in this country that those involved in cancer care provide a professional and high standard of care that is broadly appreciated by patients with cancer and their families. I recognise this dedication and commitment. I am glad of the opportunity to place on record the substantial developments that continue to take place in cancer services nationally and in the southern area in particular.

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