Seanad debates

Thursday, 16 June 2005

1:00 pm

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The national centre for medical genetics based at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin was funded by the Health Research Board in 1998 to carry out a collaborative study on the implementation of testing for hereditary breast cancer in Ireland. This study has established the technology and expertise for screening for mutations in the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes and has provided important information about the frequency of particular breast cancer gene mutations in the Irish population. The study also established expertise in Ireland in assessing and counselling families with hereditary breast cancer.

Since 2003, a cumulative sum of almost €1.8 million has been allocated for cancer genetic services to the national centre. This includes approval which was given in 2004 to extend the national testing programme at the centre, supported by the appointment of an additional consultant clinical geneticist. The Department of Health and Children is working closely with the HSE and the national centre to further develop this service.

The HSE has informed the Department that the national centre is in the process of upgrading its facilities and renewing and modernising much of its laboratory equipment at present. The hospital advertised in 2004 for the post of consultant clinical geneticist and interviews took place in January of this year. However, the hospital was unable to appoint a suitably qualified candidate. It will shortly re-advertise the post of consultant clinical geneticist with a special interest in hereditary cancer and hopes to appoint a suitable candidate towards the end of this year.

The hospital is currently outsourcing much of its cancer genetics testing internationally and is in discussions with the Health Service Executive about the employment ceiling and the difficulties involved in recruiting staff for the genetics service. The hospital is also exploring the feasibility of outsourcing, as an interim measure, the necessary counselling and backup required for women who have been identified as having an increased risk of breast cancer. These strategies are aimed at reducing the current waiting times in genetic testing.

Major advances have been made in recent years in cancer genetics. The increasing worldwide understanding of the role of genetics in the provision of cancer care is leading to an increased demand for the development of services in the area. This presents major medical, organisational and financial challenges which need to be addressed to ensure that patients get the highest quality care. The opportunity now exists to bring policy into line with medical advances in the area and to develop cancer genetic service provision.

A subgroup of the National Cancer Forum on genetics has examined the specific areas of inherited familial predisposition to cancer, cancer risk profiling of persons without inherited mutations and molecular diagnostics and molecular therapeutics. The work of this subgroup has informed the recommendations of the forum in terms of genetics. It is anticipated that the strategy will be completed in the autumn.

In conclusion, I again confirm the Government's commitment to the development of the national cancer genetics service. The Government will continue to work with the Health Service Executive to ensure that the best service possible is made available.

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