Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak tonight. I had been involved in and was very committed to the campaign to retain breast cancer surgery in Sligo General Hospital in recent months. With my colleagues, I lobbied the former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, and wrote to Professor Tom Keane and the HSE. I also worked very closely with my constituents on the issue. The people of Sligo and Leitrim, myself included, felt very passionately that we were well served by our local hospital in this regard. It is with great disappointment that I acknowledge in the House tonight before the local campaign group that my efforts have not been successful.

I must accept, however, that international best practice dictates that the best outcome for patients are achieved in clinical centres of excellence. That has been a very difficult decision to accept and it has been a very tough few weeks for me, both politically and personally. I am supporting the strategy because it is the right thing to do. The cancer control strategy is in the best interest of patients. It puts the patients' safety first. As an elected representative it is my duty to put the safety and best interests of my constituents first regardless of how unpopular that might make me.

Last night the Minister spoke about the improvement in patient outcomes that has been achieved by specialising brain surgery and paediatric cancer services in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. This model is operating with considerable success whereby every child who develops cancer has his or her diagnosis established and treatment planned at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children. For many children, significant components of their treatment are delivered by one of 16 local hospitals under the supervision of, and in accordance with, the care protocols agreed with Crumlin hospital. In the same way, chemotherapy and other post-surgery treatment will be delivered in Sligo. Hence I am confident that the establishment of the cancer control networks will deliver the same results for those suffering with cancer.

No services should be moved from Sligo to Galway until all necessary facilities are in place. It is vital that capacity, consultants, beds and parking facilities are all set up in advance of any move. That is important for patients' safety and is necessary in order for people in Sligo and Leitrim to buy into the strategy. I have received assurances that Sligo patients will be able to avail of treatment in Dublin should they so wish. That is an option that may suit some people.

We have a duty to ensure that our health service delivers the best possible care for public patients. Private patients have a choice to go wherever they wish. Cancer affects people from all walks of life and from all income brackets. No cancer patients should suffer further because they do not have health insurance. Public patients must have the same access to expert medical advice and be given the same chances as the 60% of the population who now have private health insurance.

I was honoured to be elected by the people of Sligo-North Leitrim to represent them in Dáil Éireann. I have served my constituents honestly and tirelessly. I have made their views known to Government and to stakeholders and I will continue to do so from within Government.

The national cancer control strategy is not based on geographic locations, but on population centres. An independent report on the issue found that women treated in specialist centres in Dublin have a 25% better survival rate than women treated outside a specialist cancer centre. As the Minister indicated last night, that means that where four women in a specialist centre in Dublin will survive, only three women who have been treated elsewhere will survive. In supporting the strategy, I am supporting better outcomes for women with breast cancer in both Sligo and Leitrim and throughout the country.

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