Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

Patients enjoy a 20% improvement in survival if they are treated in specialist centres. The consultants must have a throughput and an expertise in those particular operations.

St. Luke's Hospital is in Rathgar and a decision has been made to transfer services to St. James's Hospital. I support that decision because it will be good for cancer control. We must make those decisions and I support the transfer of services, although I do not support the decision to close the hospital down, as it offers an opportunity for a community health care facility.

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