Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Northern Ireland requires an additional centre to meet its capacity and the authorities there are examining the position in that regard. While a formal decision has not been made — it is not my place to announce decisions on behalf of the authorities north of the Border — I understand that part of Northern Ireland which would suit patients from County Donegal is under consideration. I further understand that clinicians and patients and the groups which represent them in County Donegal would be supportive of the establishment of a facility at Altnagelvin. The intention is that Beaumont Hospital on Dublin's north side will be the centre of excellence for the north east.

Many Deputies made the point that every health facility should be a centre of excellence. I agree with them in that regard. However, what we are discussing are centres of excellence for surgery. We have a centre of excellence at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, where treatment for every child with cancer is either planned or provided. In many cases, chemotherapy and follow-up treatment is delivered in 15 other hospitals. However, cancer treatment for children is the one area in which we compare really well with America and other European countries. We are top of the class in terms of our performance in this area. I am of the view and the expert advice I receive suggests that we are at the top because we have not, even though we can deliver treatment on a regional basis, fragmented the expertise available.

The position in regard to the eight regional centres will be similar. What we are discussing is the carrying out of surgery in those centres. Most patients who require radiotherapy, diagnostics, chemotherapy or oncology services will be provided with them in satellite centres which will be linked to the centres of excellence. It is not envisaged that everyone who needs a mammogram will be obliged to travel to a centre. The idea is that in some instances mammograms will be able to be carried out in a satellite facility and then analysed at one of the centres by means of modern technology. It is not the case that all services are being moved to the centres. The idea is that surgery will be provided at the centres and that other services, provided it is safe to do so, will be available at satellite facilities.

When he arrives, Professor Keane wants to talk to clinicians, nurses, doctors and others throughout the country. He wants professionals and others to buy in to rolling out the new service. He has set a 60% target for next year — he believes he can realise this — and a 90% target to be achieved by the end of 2009. These targets are ambitious and I wish Professor Keane who has my full support well in reaching them.

On the standards relating to radiation equipment, there are issues with the relevant statutory instrument. I am not an expert in this area. However, those at the HSE with the relevant expertise are involved in discussions in respect of this matter. The machinery is inspected on an ongoing basis by the Radiological Protection Institute. The facility at Portlaoise was inspected last May and received a clean bill of health. I am not sure what is the frequency of such inspections. This morning I heard Dr. O'Keeffe refer to the need to set standards. I have been discussing that matter with my officials. However, I have been in the House all day and have not had an opportunity to be briefed on it. I am aware that discussions are taking place at a technical level among the HSE and other parties.

See this speech in context