Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are two issues that arise from the Minister's reply. The first is that the reason for employing the locum has now ceased because of the return of the other consultant oncologist. The point I am trying to make on behalf of the patients who have contacted me is that the locum that is currently there has provided a wonderful contribution and rather than losing that expertise, the locum could be maintained and the returning consultant oncologist I am quite sure would find plenty of other work in St. Vincent's.

On a comparative basis, the criteria for the care of sarcoma patients in England and Wales, for example, reads quite long compared to what we are probably offering in this country. There is a sarcoma medical group consisting of all specialities including surgical, orthopaedic and medical oncologists, radiologists, pathology and oncology nursing as well as rehabilitation services. At least one group member belongs to a sarcoma-oriented medical organisation, such as the Connective Tissue Oncology Society. Publications are produced concerning sarcoma in peer review journals. Sarcoma conferences take place where sarcoma groups meet at least once per month to discuss patient issues. At least 50 sarcoma patients are seen per year. There are other issues such as MRI, imaging and pep scans, patient enrolment in clinical trials, strong support of personnel such as social workers, pathologists and psychiatrists and sarcoma support groups where desired.

The doctor that I am speaking about has published in a huge number of journals that prove her expertise in the treatment of this disease. I know the Minister is not questioning that. She has contributed to 13 publications and has 42 citations. While there is an assurance given that the service will not be reduced, what we want to try to do is enhance the service. If the locum was maintained, rather than maintaining the service, we would actually be enhancing the service. I hope the Minister will convey the views that I have conveyed to him as those that have come from the patients themselves.

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