Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate. The Minister for Health and Children stated in regard to radiation oncology in the Waterford area that "A service level agreement is being finalised at present between the HSE and the private Whitfield Clinic in County Waterford". The service will be provided by the University of Pittsburgh medical centre, which is located in the clinic and which is a not-for-profit organisation. My problem is the agreement could have been in place many months ago if the HSE and the Minister had the mind to develop the service in the area. However, the Minister's statement is not definitive.

She did not state when the agreement would be finalised or signed and, therefore, the issue is still up in the air. The Minister further stated, "This will support the referral of public patients for radiation oncology treatment while we build the public radiation oncology centre at Waterford Regional Hospital". This statement also results in more questions than answers. My understanding is the centre is to be provided through a public private partnership and that 11 of the 12 PPP contracts on hospital grounds were to be signed last month. What is the current position regarding the building at WRH? Is there another delay?

The Minister concluded that "The NDP will support a new ward with 20 treatment places at Waterford Regional Hospital". This is very welcome because the chemotherapy facilities for patients leave much to be desired but it is ominous that she made no reference to the dedicated oncology unit. Has this been abandoned by the Government? Will such a unit be provided during the lifetime of the national development plan? While the Minister has indicated action is being taken, nothing definite has been provided. My colleague, Deputy Moynihan-Cronin, referred to the roll-out of BreastCheck. According to the Minister, the first round of screening in the south and west will commence in the spring. Today is the first day of spring and it is extraordinary that she could not be more explicit regarding the commencement of the service. Does this mean women in the Waterford constituency will be screened this spring? What does this vague statement convey?

The issue of palliative care has also been raised. Last year €1.2 million was provided for the development of such services in the south east but the money was not spent, which is appalling in the context of planning and the provision of services. Annually, 1,000 patients in the south east must travel to other centres for radiotherapy treatment. For example, a lady in her late 20s had to travel for such treatment three days before she passed away. While there are indications such cases will become a thing of the past and palliative services will be provided, insufficient beds are available. What is happening in this regard?

How many of the 1,000 patients from the south east who must travel for treatment every year will be treated at the University of Pittsburgh medical centre? What cancers will be treated? I acknowledge a number of complicated cancers can only be treated in an integrated manner in a designated hospital but the Minister's comments regarding the south east are too vague. She did not indicate when the service level agreement would be in operation, what it will cater for and so on.

I understand a medical treatment is now available which can prevent the onset of cervical cancer, to which Deputy Moynihan-Cronin referred. In light of that amazing and welcome breakthrough, does the State have any proposals for introducing the treatment here? I am not sure of the technical aspects but if it is possible to eliminate cervical cancer, money should be no object and any technical or other obstacles to introducing the treatment should be addressed immediately.

We want clarity and answers to the mystery which surrounds the status of the public private partnership developments at 12 hospital sites. Some positive indications have been made but the situation remains vague, which is typical of this Government. As the Government approaches its dying days, it is hoping that the vague undertakings it is giving will pull it through the next general election.

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