Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will convey Deputy Kelleher's views and the views of the patients who have contacted him to the HSE. They are similar to the views expressed by patients who have contacted me. From what the Deputy told the House and from what I am informed by patients as well, there is no doubt that this locum did an excellent job. That is beyond question. The locum clearly had a positive impact on patients and on patient care. I am grateful for that. In the interests of clarity, this was always a locum position. The locum was filling in for another consultant oncologist who had undertaken a prestigious role as chair of the research group. It was always the understanding that the locum, by nature of being a locum, would carry out the duties of the consultant oncologist until that consultant returned to his post. He has done that. The multidisciplinary team in St. Vincent's University Hospital has all of the relevant specialties represented, including surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology. The hospital has reassured the national cancer control programme that patients' ongoing care and management will be provided by the hospital's oncology team and will not be compromised in any way during the hand over period.

However, I accept the broader point made by Deputy Kelleher, which is valid, as to whether there is a case to be made for an additional consultant post with a special interest in the area of sarcoma. I have raised this with the HSE and have been assured by it that consideration is being given to appointing a permanent consultant medical oncologist with a special interest in sarcoma. I will revert to the Deputy on it, given that the HSE is actively considering it. Also, the Deputy referred to international comparisons. Since the establishment of the Irish Sarcoma Group in 2014 we have strengthened and developed our national sarcoma services. International links have now been developed with specialist sarcoma centres in the UK, which the Deputy mentioned, and in Germany. These international links are important to ensure we have best practice.

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