Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I thank all the Deputies for their contributions during the debate. I congratulate Deputies Reilly and Jan O'Sullivan on their appointment as health spokespersons for their respective parties. I do not doubt that we will have many discussions across the floor of the Chamber in the coming months.

The Government's amendment to the Fine Gael motion is based on a recognition of its achievements in cancer care in recent years and the measures it is taking to develop the national plan for radiation oncology as an integral element of the national cancer control programme. The amendment acknowledges the need to plan, reform and ensure we have sound evidence based policies for the short and medium term. When one considers that the number of cancer cases will double in the years to come, it is clear that such policies are especially needed. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, outlined in the House last night the Government's significant cancer control achievements which have been based on a sustained increase in cancer funding. I would like to allude briefly to some of those achievements.

That there are approximately 120,000 survivors of cancer in Ireland is a reflection of the improved systems of cancer diagnosis and more successful forms of cancer treatment now available. Additional funding of €20.5 million, an increase of 74% on the comparable figure for 2006, has been allocated for cancer control in the current year. Some 100 additional consultants and 360 additional clinical nurse specialists have been appointed in key areas of cancer care. In 2006 over 96,000 inpatient and day patients were discharged from hospital following a diagnosis of cancer, which represents an increase of over 75% on the corresponding figure for 1997. Over 60,000 people were treated for cancer as day cases in 2006, an increase of over 140% on the figure for 1997. I ask the House to recognise these achievements. More patients are being treated. Our health system is detecting more cases of cancer at an early stage.

Patients interact with the cancer control system at various stages — they may attend hospital for screening and treatment and avail of supportive or palliative care. Patients require a seamless transition between the various stages of cancer care. The basic organisational principle that underpins the HSE's national cancer control programme is that services should be organised and delivered around the patient, regardless of the setting. As the Minister, Deputy Harney, said last night, we need to achieve equity in the delivery of cancer care, regardless of where and how the patient interacts with the health system. The development of cancer services is at the heart of the Government's delivery of its cancer control strategy. It is imperative that the HSE's decisions on the designation of four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres are implemented without delay. Patients are much more likely to survive if they are treated in specialist centres which provide multidisciplinary care. The new configuration of services will allow quality assured and patient focused care to be delivered in keeping with international best practice and the highest standards.

We need to place a stronger emphasis on health promotion and the prevention and early detection of cancer. Ancillary care will be maximised to reduce any unnecessary dependence on inpatient care and ensure patients do not have to spend more time than necessary away from home. Cancer patients will receive multidisciplinary care from cancer specialists in radiology, surgery, medical and radiation oncology, pathology and oncology nursing. The specialists will work together as an integrated team. These developments which will reform the delivery of cancer services will be led by the new interim director of cancer control, Professor Tom Keane, whom I congratulate on his appointment yesterday to that new position.

A number of Deputies spoke last night about the timescales for implementation of the new programme. I will set out the implementation targets set by the HSE. In respect of the breast cancer centres, 60% of the remaining transition will have been completed by the end of 2008, the first full year of the programme, and a target of 90% has been set for the end of 2009, the second full year of the programme. In respect of cancer centres, it is anticipated that there will be a 50% completion of transition by the end of 2008 which will increase to between 80% and 90% by the end of 2009. The Minister for Health and Children has asked the medical——

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