Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The PET scanner I shall refer to has nothing to do with pets. It is a positron emission tomography, PET, scanner which shows how an organ works or how a damaged heart, for example, is functioning. It shows blood flows through the brain and can indicate potential tumours. It is used in areas of cardiology, urology and oncology.

Last May I asked why the HSE had not employed an operator for the PET scanner at Cork University Hospital, as people had to go to Dublin to have this scan. The reply was to the effect that the completion date for the building works was June 2009, and that there would be an equipment installation period. I am sure when that reply came, from the HSE last May, it did not envisage a nine month installation period for the equipment.

This equipment cost €3.8 million and is sitting idle because the HSE cannot afford to put a person in place to operate it. Hence people in the south are being sent either to the Mater Hospital or St. James's Hospital in Dublin for this scan, at their own expense. In 2008, some 108 PET scans were referred from the HSE south area. We do not know the figure for 2009, but the 108 PET scans in 2008 cost the HSE south €250,000, despite having €3.8 million worth of equipment lying idle because there was no operator.

The HSE has described the PET scanner as being crucial in the management of cancer patients as it allows more accurate diagnoses. It allows more accurate diagnosis of cancer. In addition, the PET scanner will augment the delivery of cancer services in the HSE south region.

When cancer services were withdrawn at Kerry General Hospital, we were promised that we would have a centre of excellence for such services at Cork University Hospital. A vital component of that would be the PET scanner which has been purchased. In addition, the building has been constructed. In May 2009, I asked the question and was told that the completion period would be in September. However, here we are, six months later, and the PET scanner is not yet up and running. This is causing a lot of distress to people. For anyone suffering from cancer, the idea of having to travel to Dublin for such treatment is unthinkable. Those suffering from cancer will not make a big issue of the cost of going to Dublin for this treatment, but it is inconvenient. When people are sick the last thing they want is to have to take the road to Dublin for a PET scan. The equipment is in Cork University Hospital at a cost of €3.8 million, but it is not operational because there is no staff member there to run it. I ask the Minister of State to get that PET scanner up and running in Cork University Hospital as soon as possible for the benefit of those patients who need it.

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am responding to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, who unfortunately cannot be here this evening.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. PET-CT scanning is one of a number of sophisticated diagnostic tools used in the acute hospital setting in the diagnosis and management of disease. In 2006, the HSE decided to procure a PET-CT scanner for Cork University Hospital. Construction of the new facility and installation of the scanner was completed in 2009.

In order to implement savings on public service numbers, the Government decided that, from March 2009 to the end of 2010, no public sector post may be filled by recruitment, promotion or payment of a higher duties allowance. A HSE circular gives effect to the Government decision and other specific aspects of the employment control framework for the health services.

While the Government decision applies to all permanent and temporary staff, including nursing staff, there are specific exemptions. For the health service, the employment control framework specifically exempts the following front line grades from the moratorium: medical consultants, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, clinical psychologists, behaviour therapists, counsellors, social workers and emergency medical technicians.

The framework allows for growth in numbers in those posts within the overall approved employment ceiling for the health sector. In addition, special provisions apply in relation to certain specialist grades under the national cancer control programme. The Government decision was modulated to ensure that key services are maintained as far as possible in the health service, particularly in relation to children at risk, older people and people with disabilities.

Health employment levels are monitored by the joint employment control monitoring committee, which comprises officials from the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Finance and the HSE. This committee also reviews implementation of the moratorium and any issues arising. A process is in place to fill critical vacancies and formal approval is required for non-exempted posts. Where approval is granted, recruitment then takes place.

With regard to Cork specifically, and staff required for the PET-CT scanner, the HSE has identified posts required to operate the scanner and has begun the application process for approval to fill non-exempt posts. Until the PET-CT in Cork University Hospital becomes operational, patients will continue to travel to St. James's Hospital or the Mater Hospital in Dublin, with whom the HSE has service level agreements for the provision of PET-CT services. In 2009, a total of 108 patients from the Cork and Kerry region were referred to St. James's and the Mater hospitals in Dublin, in line with service level agreements in place.

The HSE is working to bring this project into operation as soon as possible to ensure that the people of Cork and Kerry have easy access to the most advanced diagnostics available, thus ensuring that better outcomes are achieved for patients.