Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to address this issue, which is of considerable concern to the people of Cork, particularly the women who will unfortunately have to avail of breast cancer services, their families and the specialists and experts working in the field.

The national cancer strategy proposes to establish centres of excellence, a term I dislike as I prefer to refer to specialist centres, in a number of areas nationwide, one of which will be in Cork at Cork University Hospital. That campus is also to include breast cancer care. At present, the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital, Cork, treats breast cancer patients. Its throughput is 210 diagnoses per year, as opposed to a figure of 140 at Cork University Hospital. A figure of 210 diagnoses is certainly above the norm and would ensure excellence. A specialist centre has been established at the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital. The people from counties Cork and Kerry who use this service speak highly of it. The population is entirely satisfied with the service provided. Under the national cancer strategy, however, it is proposed to transfer these services. Professor Tom Keane, who is charged with implementing the cancer care strategy, has stated that he wants all centres for breast cancer care in place by the end of 2009, some 18 months from now.

Where on the campus of Cork University Hospital will this centre be located? Where will the building be located? Where are the architectural plans, theatre space, buildings and specialist and ancillary staff required to provide such a service? I have not seen them. No planning application has been made and no provision is in place to provide the necessary physical infrastructure to deal with the estimated 210 breast cancer diagnoses per annum that occur at present and will continue to occur in addition to the existing throughput at Cork University Hospital. The Minister of State should answer this simple question. Where are these women to be accommodated on the Cork University Hospital campus? There is no sign of any facilities. While I support the concept of a specialist centre, I cannot see the requisite physical infrastructure to provide it in Cork University Hospital. However, I see excellence in specialist care at present for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital.

As Deputy Lynch has noted, one should not try to fix something that is not broken.

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