John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, as she is at another engagement. In fairness, last week she spent three hours in the House dealing with the cancer strategy on Private Members' business.

The Government is committed to the provision of high quality gynaecological services across the country, including the Cork region. There are currently five gynaecology theatre slots per week in Cork University Hospital, amounting to the equivalent of two and a half day's service. Approximately 1,152 elective gynaecology procedures were carried out there in 2007. In addition, approximately 17 emergency gynaecological procedures are carried out each month.

There are three operating theatres in Cork University Maternity Hospital, CUMH, one obstetric and two gynaecological theatres. The HSE has indicated that the obstetric theatre is fully staffed and the hospital has recently completed the recruitment process for several senior nursing staff for the gynaecology theatres. In addition, a consultant anaesthetist is being recruited to facilitate the commencement of a gynaecology service in CUMH. In the interim, gynaecology procedures continue to be carried out in Cork University Hospital.

In March 2008 several minor surgical procedures were carried out in Cork University Maternity Hospital, on a trial basis. The ultimate aim is to have the gynaecology service operational on a full five-day per week basis. These developments illustrate that the gynaecological services continue to be improved in Cork University Hospital.

The HSE has designated Cork University Hospital as one of two cancer centres in the managed cancer control network for the HSE South. The decision by the HSE to have four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres will be implemented on a managed and phased basis. 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. Professor Tom Keane took up his position as interim director of the national cancer control programme in November 2007. Professor Keane will engage in detailed planning to facilitate the progressive, gradual and carefully managed transfer of services between locations over the next two years. A decision on the location of gynaecological cancer services for the HSE South cancer control network will be made by Professor Keane and the national cancer control programme.

The development of cancer services and the continuing emphasis on improving cancer care underline the Government's commitment to providing safe and accessible services for patients in the southern region.

See this speech in context