Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I had sought information from the HSE in respect of the number of cases presenting, but trying to get information from the executive is like throwing a ball against a haystack. The Minster introduced a ten-day turnaround for all agencies to respond to parliamentary questions in his previous Department and I encourage him to consider doing that in his new Department.

There is considerable pressure on chemotherapy clinics. Targets are being met, which is welcome, but the conditions people are being treated in are absolutely horrific. I have heard about several bad cases, including one in which a person receives chemotherapy standing up in order that the staff can keep to the schedule. People are left to wait for hours, some after travelling considerable distances to the hospital from across the region, and then they must leave Galway late at night to travel back home.

With regard to the key performance indicator for prostate cancer, which is 51% in University Hospital Galway, when does the Minister hope to have a figure to measure the improvements he has outlined? This is Blue September, and prostate cancer has become one of the greatest cancer threats. It is not acceptable that one out of two cases are not being dealt with within the timeframe. When does he hope to have an updated figure in this regard?

How many of the new appointees to University Hospital Galway will be deployed in the cancer care unit? Will any of them be attached to Mayo General Hospital?

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