Dáil debates

Wednesday, 21 November 2007

1:00 pm

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Professor Tom Keane took up his position as interim director of the national cancer control programme last Monday. Implementation of the programme is a major priority for me and the Government. The delivery of cancer services on a programmatic basis will serve to ensure equity of access to services and equality of patient outcome, irrespective of geography.

The recent decisions of the HSE in respect of four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres will be implemented on a managed and phased basis. Professor Keane will be engaging in detailed planning to facilitate the orderly phased transfer of services between locations.

To ensure we improve our planning and evaluation of cancer needs, my Department has asked the HSE to prepare a robust needs assessment for cancer control for the period to 2012 to reflect priorities in this area. The needs assessment will address regional disparities in cancer treatment, identify gaps in the provision of existing services and develop a national approach to timely access to diagnostic services for cancers.

Professor Keane and the HSE have emphasised the importance of mobilising existing resources and redirecting them to achieve the national cancer control programme's objectives. I understand the HSE is putting arrangements in place to enable Professor Keane to take control of all new cancer developments from 1 January 2008 and, progressively, all existing cancer services and related funding and staffing. An additional €20.5 million was allocated to the HSE this year for cancer control. Further investment will be phased in during the reform programme.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.