Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, for attending to give the response on behalf of the Minister. I also thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important matter on the Adjournment as it concerns the care of patients with cancer in the constituency we both represent.

I acknowledge the work of the Irish Nurses Organisation in highlighting the issue I raise. It is surely one of those cases which completely baffles people when they contemplate the state of our health services and the way in which the Health Service Executive and Department of Health and Children operate them. The issue is the need to appoint an oncology liaison nurse to Cavan General Hospital. Oncology liaison nurses provide specialised advice and counselling for patients diagnosed with cancer, as well as a valuable channel of communication between the patients and the oncology team which provides their medical treatment.

In February 2004 the Irish Cancer Society funded a half-time post for an oncology liaison nurse at Cavan General Hospital and a half-time post in the Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. The local cancer steering committee agreed to fund the other half of the post for Cavan General Hospital. Despite this funding, the position has not been filled because the Health Service Executive has failed to act to permit the appointment.

It is scandalous that a post for which funding is available and which could be providing a very valuable service for cancer patients has not been filled. The Health Service Executive has let down cancer patients in the Cavan-Monaghan catchment area served by Cavan General Hospital. I understand that the Irish Cancer Society can no longer hold its funding for the post and if the HSE does not act it will be lost. This would be a huge disservice to cancer patients.

An oncology liaison nurse in St. Luke's Hospital describes her work as follows:

My role is one of support during diagnosis of cancer and throughout subsequent treatment. I also provide an extra channel of communication between the patient, their family and the oncologist. This helps to ensure that both patient and family understand exactly what lies ahead. In many cases I can help to answer questions and help to alleviate unnecessary fears. I believe that by giving people information, time and support, there is a real benefit for the patient's psychological and emotional health, both during hospitalisation and later on at home.

I commend the Irish Nurses Organisation for highlighting both the need for this post at Cavan General Hospital and the unacceptable approach of the HSE. Cancer patients need and deserve better than this and I urge the Minister of State, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and the HSE to act immediately to fill this post, otherwise, we will tragically lose the commitment to fund same.

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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From the outset, I personally wish the Deputy and his party well in terms of the re-establishment of both an Executive and an Assembly in the North. I will take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

The strategy for cancer control, launched by the Minister in June, makes recommendations on the organisation, governance, quality assurance and accreditation across the continuum of cancer care from health promotion, prevention and screening through to treatment services, supportive and palliative care and research. There is a strong emphasis in the strategy on health promotion, addressing inequalities and quality assurance. The Minister is committed to providing quality cancer care to the people of Ireland on an equitable basis regardless of where they live. Deputy Ó Caoláin will take sustenance from that assertion.

As the Deputy will be aware, the organisation and management of the health services is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. That is precisely why the executive was set up, to deliver services on an equitable basis across the country, free from political or other interference or pressure.

The Health Service Executive has advised the Department of Health and Children that in 2005, the Irish Cancer Society offered to part fund a post for an oncology liaison nurse at Cavan General Hospital. It was not possible to fill the post at that time. However, the Department has been informed that the filling of the post is being actively pursued by the Health Service Executive.

In fairness to the Minister for Health and Children, the Deputy has received a strong reassurance that an active process is under way to fill that vacancy. I hope for his sake and the sake of his constituents that happens.